Survey reveals voters want government to ease charity burden

The poll of more than 4,600 voters in marginal electorates across the nation conducted on behalf of the Community Council for Australia (CCA) found 92 per cent believe the sector should be given the staff, volunteers and capacity to better serve the community.

Released in the run up to the federal election, the Community Perception Survey (Charities) revealed deep concern among voters about the plight of charities on a national and local level.

The survey found:

• 92 per cent of those polled said it was vital to make it much easier for people to give to charities and said major reforms are needed to do this
  
  
• 91 per cent want experienced and knowledgeable charities to be in the government’s planning or policy priorities
  
  
• 91 per cent of those surveyed said they wanted to see productivity and support for the sector boosted
  
  
• 86 per cent said the federal government should appoint a Minister to look after charities.

Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie said Australia was becoming a more inward looking, selfish country characterised by less people giving and volunteering.

He said charities need and deserve much more support from governments, funders and the community.

“It’s very clear that in marginal electorates, voter support for election candidates is partly about their engagement with charities and support for positive charity policies,” he said.

“The bottom line is the vast majority of our charities are underfunded, and cost of living issues are impacting on local charities and community groups in a huge way.”

Crosbie said charities also face massive amounts of red tape.

“Without doubt, it’s gotten harder and harder for local charities.”

Crosbie said that awhile income across the sector had risen by just eight per cent, staffing costs had surged 11 per cent.

“Charities are facing bigger and bigger costs to do their business and unlike small business there is no support for cybersecurity, staff skills development, energy transition, research and development, data use and privacy, capital investment in infrastructure and capacity, or climate change adaptation.”

Crosbie said that the nation’s 60,000 charities employ more than 10 per cent of Australia’s workforce and turn over more than $200 billion a year – eight per cent of the nation’s GDP.

Despite these impressive statistics, he said there is no government department to promote charity productivity, no charity ombudsman, and not one federal official outside of the charities regulator whose job is to monitor and promote the sector.

“Charities matter to our communities, to our economy, to our productivity and wellbeing, but our issues are not taken seriously, and that needs to change.”

The survey revealed that 66 per cent of voters were much more likely to vote for a candidate committed to improving government policy toward charities.

The vast majority of voters also believed it was vital that their local MP encouraged the government to work more closely with charities.

Between 65 per cent and 80 per cent of people surveyed want their MP to meet with charity sector representatives.

“These compelling findings clearly demonstrate that in Australia’s marginal electorates, charity policy and the involvement of MPs are absolutely significant factors influencing voters’ decisions.”

Crosbie said it was also clear that political candidates who are proactive in supporting the charity sector will improve their standing amongst voters.

““Unfortunately, one of the very real problems in the charity sector is organisations tend to advocate for their cause and their purpose (the communities they serve) rather than advocating for themselves or their sector.”

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