When you’re thinking of the fun things you can do at work, what springs to mind?

Chances are government engagement isn’t the first thing you thought of, but it can be fun, and it should be. The more you enjoy it, the more impact you will have - and that will have a flow on effect to your organisation.

There’s no doubt that a diversity of views is good for democracy. Differing views, differing perspectives, and differing lived experiences can hold governments to account and ensure that they govern for everyone. 

New ACNC Guidance for Charities in Corporate Groups and other ‘Complex Structures’

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has recently released new guidance addressing governance for charities operating within corporate groups or other ‘complex structures’.  While acknowledging legitimate reasons for such arrangements – like geographic spread, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and tax eligibility – the ACNC warns of governance challenges and risks of non-compliance.

From Purpose to Policy: Legal Insights on Charities Engaging in Advocacy

Earlier this month, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) published the 11th edition of the Australian Charities Report (Report).  The Report is based on aggregated data from the 2023 ACNC reporting period and, for data enthusiasts like me, offers a comprehensive snapshot of the state and composition of the sector in Australia.

As we sit within the 16 days of global activism to end gender violence, it’s a good time to remember the power that NFPs hold to influence public discourse on an issue — and how you can effectively harness that via government engagement.

Believe it or not, the best time to influence and change policy is when a party is in opposition – not when they are in government.

As we say goodbye to Pro Bono News, we move into an interesting political landscape in Australia: with almost wall-to-wall Labor governments, it raises new and different challenges for our sector.

Economic modelling can come with a hefty price tag. Neil Pharaoh examines whether it's worthwhile in your government engagement activities.

Now is the time to consider how gender equity fits into your government engagement strategy. Ellen McLoughlin and Emma Nightingale discuss some points to consider.