ACNC announces four charity revocations due to breaches of conduct

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has revoked the charity status of four organisations following investigations into their operations and activities.

The organisations are Newcastle Night Angels Homeless Care Incorporated, St Andrews Children Neighbourhood Centre Inc, Balranald Aboriginal Health Service Incorporated and Xin Yi Dai Inc.

The charities have 60 days to object to the ACNC’s revocation decisions. If they object, the organisations will be subject to an internal review.

All four organisations will lose access to Commonwealth charity tax concessions following the revocation of their registration as a charity.

Commissioner Susan Pascoe AM said the ACNC’s approach to compliance activity was proportionate.

“Our compliance activity starts with education and guidance,” Pascoe said.

“However, we are committed to maintaining and protecting public trust and confidence in the sector.

“When we find serious circumstances of mismanagement or deliberate breaches of the ACNC Act we will revoke charity status, which removes access to Commonwealth charity tax concessions.”

Pascoe said the overwhelming majority of people running charities do the right thing for the benefit of the community. However, since the establishment of the ACNC we have found a small group that are not willing to meet their obligations and in some cases, are purposely using a charity as a vehicle for private benefit.

“I encourage members of the public to raise any concerns with the ACNC.”

According to the Australian Business Register (ABR), Newcastle Night Angels Homeless Care Incorporated has been operating since 2013 and is based in New South Wales. It was endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a deductible gift recipient (DGR), and was also endorsed to access the following Commonwealth tax concessions as a public benevolent institution – income tax exemption.

St Andrews Children Neighbourhood Centre Inc has been operating since 2000 and is based in New South Wales. It had been endorsed by the ATO to access Commonwealth charity tax concessions – GST concessions, the FBT rebate, and income tax exemption.

Balranald Aboriginal Health Service Incorporated has been operating since 2001 and is based in New South Wales. It was endorsed by the ATO as a DGR, and was also endorsed to access the following Commonwealth tax concessions as a public benevolent institution – GST concessions, FBT exemption and income tax exemption.

Xin Yi Dai Inc began operating in November 1999 and is based in Victoria. It was endorsed by the ATO to operate a fund with DGR status. The organisation had also been endorsed to access Commonwealth charity tax concessions – GST concessions, the FBT rebate, and income tax exemption.

Concerns can be raised by calling 13 ACNC or by visiting acnc.gov.au/raiseaconcern.