This fortnight I write to you from Adelaide and with the FRSA National Conference coming up in this beautiful city in May, it is certainly exciting to be here. In the middle of a very busy week I’ve even managed to drop by and tour the conference venue. It is all starting to feel very real!
I’m in the middle of an intensive and demanding course on governance here in Adelaide – the Australian Institute of Company Director’s ‘Company Directors’ course. At FRSA we take the practice of good governance very seriously and I know this is shared across the charities sector. Good governance systems, processes and practices mean, amongst other things, that we use government grants, fundraising revenue and donations strictly for their intended purpose. We seek to maximise the value of our income through strategic and careful use. We are transparent and accountable in how our funds are directed and the outcomes that are achieved.
The charities sector plays an important role in the good governance of Australia. We do this by contributing to policy development, by sharing with government the expertise and experiences of frontline services and by representing the interests and needs of vulnerable and marginalised Australian’s whose voices may otherwise be lost. We help governments to spend public funds fairly and wisely – we help them to govern well.
As I reflect on what good governance means across different sectors and across governments, I am deeply disappointed to look back over the past few years and see that while the charities sector has been stretched time and time again by fires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has been actively seeking to whittle away the important advocacy role of the sector. Now, more than ever, we need to be able to connect the experiences and needs of communities with our political leaders, who have been entrusted to make decisions in the best interests on their behalf. To this end, I express my gratitude to the Hands Off Our Charities Alliance who have worked tirelessly over this period to challenge the introduction of harsh regulatory measures by “Advocating for those who Advocate for Australia”.
This week was marked by Harmony Day on 21 March and a whole week of celebrations to acknowledge cultural diversity and promote inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. I’m delighted to see so many FRSA members holding celebratory Harmony Week events around the country.
Next Tuesday 29 March the Federal Government will hand down its Budget for 2022-23. We will be following closely and will provide members with our annual preliminary Budget analysis.
