Historic Meeting of Non Profit Sector in Canberra

MEDIA CONFERENCE
Private Dining Room 1
Parliament House Canberra
FRIDAY 19 DECEMBER
10:00am - 10:45am

Leaders from the non profit sector will gather for an historic meeting at Parliament House in Canberra tomorrow for preliminary discussions aimed at establishing mechanisms for effective national representation of the 700,000 non profit organisations in Australia.

Decision makers representing philanthropy, welfare, overseas aid and many other endeavours will attend this inaugural meeting of Australia's third sector.

In 2006-07 non profit organisations employed 884,000 people or 8.2 per cent of Australians in employment, had an income of well over $74 billion, and engaged with more than 2.4 million volunteers.

Speaking ahead of the forum in Canberra today, co-convenor, David Thompson said it has been historically difficult for the diverse range of organisations in the sector to come together and find common ground but there is an urgent need for more effective leadership and coordination across the non profit sector in the face of the Rudd Government's significant review and reform agenda.

"Non profit organisations are the glue that holds communities together, especially in times of crisis," Mr Thompson said.

"As the Government responds to the global financial crisis, outlines measures to address climate change and embarks on ambitious tax and regulatory reform, including the accountability of the not for profit sector, now, more than ever, we must find our collective voice and take our place at the table as the Government considers these major policy issues.

"The Rudd Government has created that opportunity through the formation of the National Compact, which is being overseen by Senator Ursula Stephens and through other measures on its reform agenda. Tomorrow's forum is the first step in a process that will take full advantage of that opportunity," Mr Thompson said.

The forum will be co convened by David Crosbie, Co Chair of the Government's National Compact Expert Panel and board member of Not for Profit Australia; and David Thompson, Chair of the National Roundtable of Non Profit Organisations.

The media conference will be attended by:
• David Crosbie, Co Chair of the Government's National Compact Expert Panel
• David Thompson, Chair of the National Roundtable of Non Profit Organisations
• Elaine Henry, Chair Nonprofit Australia
• Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion
Media are invited to attend from 10:00am to 10:45am.

18 December 2008

Contact: Judith Tokley 0408 824 306 / 02 6285 1366

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