Did you know that charities working to advocate for the welfare of animals or reduce catastrophic disaster risks can’t currently accept tax-deductible donations? This hurts fundraising, and community organising – ultimately making them less impactful.
The Productivity Commission is in the middle of a once-in-a-generation review of Australia’s charity laws. Because of the good work of members of our community, the draft report includes many of the things we’re after. The draft recommends expanding tax-deductible status to preventative animal welfare charities, like the Alliance for Animals, as well as charities seeking to prevent catastrophic disasters, like The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and Good Ancestors.
The draft report also has other exciting recommendations — like removing restrictions on charities like Effective Altruism Australia from doing community-building across a range of causes, supporting public interest journalism, and allowing charities and communities to be more involved in policy advocacy.
But the job isn’t done and we haven’t got everything we asked for. At this event we’ll celebrate how far we’ve come and make new arguments that preempt established for-profit interest groups going on the attack. The road ahead won’t be easy.
At this event, Dr Bidda Jones from the Australian Alliance for Animals and Greg Sadler from Effective Altruism Australia will explain the process so far, what you can do now to help, and what the path to success looks like. They’ll also provide all the materials you need to easily make a submission to the process. You’ll easily be able to make a submission during the event or have the materials necessary to lodge one before the deadline on 9 February.
This is probably the most impactful thing you could think to do with your evening, so bring your laptop!
Date: 31/01/2024
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: TBC
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Our speakers for the event will be Dr Bidda Jones and Greg Sadler.
Bidda is Director of Strategy for the Alliance for Animals. A zoologist trained in animal behaviour and welfare, Bidda previously spent 25 years with RSPCA Australia, most recently as their Chief Science and Strategy Officer. She has played an instrumental role in campaigns to end live exports and the use of battery cages for layer hens and represented the interests of animals on multiple government and industry committees. Bidda is also an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science.
Greg is the Secretary of Effective Altruism Australia. Greg is also CEO of Good Ancestors Policy, which is developing and advocating for Australian-specific policies aimed at solving this century’s most challenging problems. Previously, Greg spent 15 years in the Australian Public Service, including at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Attorney-General’s Department. Greg holds a BA/LLB(Hons) from ANU and majored in philosophy.
Hi,
I live in Cooma so you are my nearest group. I disagree with the change you are proposing in this case. I think that trying to make chicken campaigning tax-deductible, threatens the tax-deductibility of human rights work, at a time when Australia is already far too parochial.
This is not to say that you should not campaign for animals. But we should not be messing with the fragile mechanisms we have to help other humans who, uniquely in the animal kingdom, are aware of our indifference, and are hurt by it.
I look forward to collaborating with the Canberra EA folk on another project.
PV