Federal Government plans a ban on Australian charities receiving foreign donations

Foreign donations to Australian charities would be banned under a plan by the Federal Government.

It would also include a ban on foreign political donations in a bid to prevent foreign parties from influencing Australian elections.

The bill is expected to come before parliament by the end of the year.

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Tom Elliott: If indeed the government wants to ban foreign donations to charities, my question is why?

Philanthropy Australia spokesperson Krystian Seibert told Tom Elliott the ban could inhibit the way charities undertake advocacy work.

“Our understanding is the government is planning to ban donations to what are called third parties under the electoral laws,” he said.

“Third parties could include charities, business groups, businesses.

“The effect would be, where a foundation in the US wants to fund a charity in Australia for that charity to undertake some non partisan issue-based advocacy during an election campaign, that would be banned.”