Nonprofits invited to have their say

ACPNS director Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes said the centre was at the forefront of helping Australia's non-profit organisations slash red tape and save on operating costs.

"For the Consultation Paper, ACPNS has provided its insight and expertise to the Office for Fair Trading on the important issues for associations and how legislation could be improved to benefit our community groups and clubs," Professor McGregor-Lowndes said.

"As a key resource for research and exploring issues relating to non-profit organisations, ACPNS, for example, developed the Standard Chart of Accounts for non-profit organisations, which was released early this year, and made it available free-of-charge.

"The chart remedied a lack of consistency in accounting terms required by government departments which fund non-profit organisations and the release of this Consultation Paper will allow non-profit organisations to have a say on updating of model rules for associations."

Mr Lawlor said incorporated associations, including industry, sporting clubs, social or hobby-based activities, and cause-related community groups, were a vital part of Queensland's not-for-profit sector.

"With more than 21,000 currently registered with the Office of Fair Trading, it is important to ensure legislation keeps pace with developments in the community and does not overburden small organisations with voluntary staff," Mr Lawlor said.

"Incorporated associations and community members are invited to have their say on the Queensland Government's review of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and the Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999."

A copy of the consultation paper and details on how to make a submission are available on www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au. Submissions will be due by Friday 11 March 2011.

Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1841 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au