2010 - Informing the Australian nonprofit sector

Dr Andrea Petrwiskyj reports on her current research project 'Voice of Seniors' which examines the role of seniors organisations in providing the voice for older people in Australian policy making. Bob Wyatt provides further critique on arguments related to nonprofit organisations becoming more like their corporate counterparts.

Associate Professor Jo Barraket reports on the outcomes of the Finding Australia’s Social Enterprise Sector (FASES) research project. Bob Wyatt, Executive Director of the Muttart Foundation critically examines the arguments for nonprofits becoming more business-like.

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes (Director, ACPNS) discusses two recent government initiatives that may affect the nonprofit sector; the first, an audit of the administration procedures of the Australian Taxation Office, and in particular their administration of Deductible Gift Recipient status; and the second, the release of The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ ‘Information Paper – Non-Profit Institutions – A Draft Information Plan.’ Colin Ball (Consultant, Writer, Researcher) examines the purposes of voluntary organisations both historically and in modern times. Mark Fowler (Director, Neumann Turnour Lawyers) provides an outline of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) and the different ways that nonprofits organisations can be involved iin the scheme.

Dr Matthew Turnour, ACPNS Senior Research Fellow discusses the current Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into the Tax Law Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010.Bob Wyatt, Executive Director of The Muttart Foundation, examines whether or not a third sector actually exists.

David Locke, Executive Director of Charity Services, Charity Commission for England and Wales discusses whether Australia should have a new independent regulator for the nonprofit and charitable sectors. Robert Fitzgerald, Productivity Commissioner, provides commentary following David Locke’s presentation.

Prof Myles McGregor-Lowndes speaks about the recently announced Treasury consultation paper on a new national regulator for the not-for-profit sector. Bob Wyatt will provide a summary of his thoughts and recommendations for the Canadian voluntary sector and chats about his ideas on how a nonprofit umbrella (or peak) organisation should operate.

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes and ACPNS researchers Frances Hannah, Anne Overell and Linda Lavarch discuss recent legal cases involving nonprofit organisations and their implications for other organisations in the sector.

Listen to Robert Fitzgerald, Productivity Commissioner discuss the Productivity Commission’s recently released landmark research report, Contribution of the not-for-profit sector. In addition, Senator Ursula Stephens launches the Queensland Alliance initiated report, From discrimination to social inclusion: A review of the literature on anti-stigma initiatives in mental health.

Dr Wendy Scaife joins us once more to provide insights into the major giving landscape in Australia, with this month’s podcast focusing on messages for givers, boards and CEOs. Jan Jennings-Cailleux discusses the history and experiences of planned giving in both the United States and France. également disponible en Français.

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes joins us to talk about the possible implications of the recently released report by the Prodcutivity Commission, 'Contributions from the not-for-profit sector'. Dr Wendy Scaife provides us with insight into the minds of major gift givers in Australia, with important messages for charities.

Dr Jo Barraket discusses organisational development in the context of an evaluation of The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundations' Celebrating Our Partners Program funding initiative. Dr Amanda McBratney makes observations on the current government - nonprofit contracting landscape, with particular focus on the Queensland Department of Communities proposed new Common Service Agreement.