Member Webinar: The Double Giving Agenda and the Productivity Commission Draft Report
Time
Two sessions options with a presentation followed by Q&A:
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- Tuesday 30 January 2024, 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEDT (NSW/ACT/VIC)
- Wednesday 31 January 2024,12:00pm - 1:00pm AEDT (NSW/ACT/VIC)
Location
Online event - meeting details will be provided once the registration is submitted.
Description
Philanthropy Australia members are invited to attend one of these important member webinars to hear more about the Productivity Commission draft report and discuss how we can work together to advocate for reforms to create a more generous and giving Australia.
While PA is formulating a strong draft response which it will share with members in the near term, it will also be helpful to our shared goals if members in a position to make a submission take the time to do so.
This is a rare and historic opportunity, and one not to be missed.
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- The Productivity Commission (PC) draft report: At 10.30pm on 30 November, the Productivity Commission released its draft report on philanthropy. The next day, PA released its initial response in Philanthropy Weekly. The report contains some positive elements, including recommendations to expand DGR, establishment of an independent philanthropic foundation controlled by – and for the benefit of – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and allow minimum requirements to be met over three years. The PC is strongly opposed to removing the tax on super bequests, but remains open to allowing people to make bequests through superannuation.
- The critical next steps: The important mission now is to respond to the draft report by 9 February, aiming to secure more recommendations for policy reforms that would lift giving in the PC’s final report to government, which is due in May. The draft report doesn’t fully capitalise on this historic opportunity to secure reforms to lift giving.
- Philanthropy Australia would like to secure recommendations in a suite of additional areas, such as super bequests, a National Giving Campaign, expanding the network of Community Foundations, and creating a voluntary option to donate at tax time. More could also be done to improve data and establish governance structures that allowed government and philanthropy to collaborate more to drive social impact.
- Philanthropy Australia would also like to consult members on some sensitive questions raised in the report, such as whether minimum distribution rates should be raised, and what you think of the PC’s recommendation to remove DGR status for school building funds.
Presenter
Sam Rosevear - Executive Director, Policy, Government Relations and Research at Philanthropy Australia
Most recently, Sam was Executive Director of Strategy, Impact and Policy at Headspace, and he played a similar role at Beyond Blue.
Sam has a strong commitment to education. He worked on strategy, policy advocacy and government relations as Director of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Chief of Staff to Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis at the University of Melbourne. He worked closely with government to help to secure ongoing funding for Teach For Australia, an organisation that recruits Australia’s top talent to be teachers in schools in low income communities. Sam is a Board Member at EdConnect, which trains and places volunteer mentors in schools to support young people at risk and help teachers in the classroom.
Sam has been a Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Government, and worked for 15 years in the Federal Government in departments including Treasury, Finance and Prime Minister and Cabinet.
This event is for all members of Philanthropy Australia. If you aren't sure of your membership status, or want to get in touch about membership, please contact membership@philanthropy.org.au
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