Summary – Not-For-Profit Sector Freedom to Advocate Bill Introduced to the Senate.

On Wednesday 13 March 2013, Senator Penny Wong tabled the Not for Profit Sector Freedom to Advocate Bill in the Senate. The Bill invalidates gag clauses contained in past, present and future Commonwealth government contracts with Not-For-Profit organisations.

The legislation is intended to promote and respect the independence of the Not-For-Profit sector. In doing so, it will ensure that Not-For-Profit organisations cannot be gagged from speaking out against the government for fear of breach of contract. Senator Wong has stated that this legislation was drafted in response to the Newman Government inserting gag clauses into government contracts in Queensland. The Commonwealth Government has now made a point of calling on each of the State and Territory Governments to legislate in a similar fashion.Continue Reading Not-For-Profit Sector Freedom to Advocate Bill Introduced to the Senate