Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Announcement:
Renewing relationships with community sector organisations

Date of announcement:
23 November 2007

Detail:
“The community sector also plays a critical role in advising and developing public policy and advocating on behalf of the often marginalised groups it services. Both the 1995 Industry
Commission Inquiry into the role of charitable organisations and the Charities Definition Inquiry of 2001 recognised the legitimate role of peak community organisations as representative organisations that advocate for their members.

Despite these findings, the Howard Government has attacked both the right and capacity of community sector organisations to advocate and has rejected their contribution or role in public policy development or debate. The breakdown of the relationship between the community sector and government diminishes Australia’s democracy but also undermines our capacity to effectively combat disadvantage.

Labor believes that policy must reflect a range of perspectives and be based on evidence based outcomes, and rebuilding trust and reciprocity will form the foundation of a new relationship between a Federal Labor Government and the community sector. The
consideration of the role of the community sector in a social inclusion agenda will also involve the restoration of the sector’s right to advocate and participate actively in public debate. To this end, Labor will examine contracts between not for profit service providers and government with a view to removing clauses that constrain this advocacy role.

Furthermore, Labor will consult with the sector about whether such a compact, such as those that operate in Canada and the UK, could or should be developed in Australia, and what might be included in such a partnership.

Labor will also commission the Productivity Commission to construct a new tool to measure the contribution of third-sector organisations to our economy as the starting point for maximizing the sector’s contribution to social inclusion, employment and economic growth.

Finally, Labor will abolish the Howard Government’s Non Profit Australia and replace it with a truly independent and effective voice for the community sector.”

Announcement:
National Disability Advocacy Review

Date of announcement:
30th October 2007

Detail:
“Federal Labor does not support the current competitive tendering processes for the National Disability Advocacy Program based on the Coalition’s narrow criteria. Labor is committed to addressing gaps in service delivery through collaboration with advocacy providers.”