On 20 July 2017, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has announced that it has revoked the charity status of the following 3 organisations following investigations into their activities and operations:
- African Australian Network Limited (ABN: 33158042696) – has been operating since September 2013 and is based in Victoria.
- Global Helping Hands Foundation – Australia (ABN: 59138471787) – has been operating since November 2007 and is based in Victoria.
- Immigrant Womens’ Health Information Service Inc (ABN: 13469744032) – has been operating since July 2000 and is based in NSW.
The ACNC is prevented from disclosing further details (such as the reasons for their reregistration) due to secrecy provisions in the ACNC Act. However, the ACNC publishes instances where it uses its formal powers, including revocation, on the Charity Register.
The ACNC said these charities have 60 days to object to its revocation decisions, in which case they will be reviewed internally.
Following referral by the ACNC to the ATO, all 3 organisations will lose access to Commonwealth charity tax concessions. This includes the loss of DGR endorsement.
[ACNC website: announcement; LTN 138, 24/7/17]