 |
FT Online Charity Search function |
![]() |
| Posted by editor (editor) on Jul 22 2010 |
| 2010 >> |
Asked on 20 May 2010 MR PITT ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND FAIR TRADING (MR LAWLOR) — QUESTION: Would the Minister outline the benefits to Mulgrave residents of the Office of Fair Trading’s new online charity search function? ANSWER: I thank the Member for Mulgrave for his question. Queenslanders are generous in their support of charities and in giving their time through participation in community based associations. In the Mulgrave electorate alone, there are 43 registered charitable organisations and 329 incorporated associations. However, it is often difficult for the public to work out if a charity is registered in Queensland or if the association they are dealing with is incorporated. It is now possible to undertake a quick online search to determine this. A simple online search tool has been developed by the Office of Fair Trading which provides the name of the charity or incorporated association along with its registration number and the postcode of its postal address. The Queensland Charities and Associations Online Register is a free service and will be a great tool for consumers to check if a charity that has approached them for a donation is authorised to collect those funds. Fundraising charities must be registered under the Collections Act 1966 and are required to lodge annual audited financial statements with the Office of Fair Trading to account for donations collected. These statements are held on a public register which is searchable for a small fee. Similar requirements also apply to incorporated associations which, in many cases, are also registered charities. Incorporation is an important mechanism by which an association gains its own legal status and limits the liability of its members. By and large most charities do the right thing, but from time to time there are organisations which collect funds for charity without being authorised to do so. Confirming whether the entity is appropriately registered is a vote of confidence that the money being donated is for a legitimate charitable purpose. The simple on-line search of charities and associations will assist consumers to determine that the organisation they are dealing with is registered with the Office of Fair Trading and its details are available for a more comprehensive search. This new service complements another service introduced by the Office of Fair Trading on 1 July 2009 to check online if a real estate agent, motor dealer, security provider or a range of other occupations regulated by the Office of Fair Trading are licensed. Both services are available at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au and further details can be obtained by telephoning 13 13 04. I thank the Member for Mulgrave for his question. Queenslanders are generous in their support of charities and in giving their time through participation in community based associations. In the Mulgrave electorate alone, there are 43 registered charitable organisations and 329 incorporated associations. However, it is often difficult for the public to work out if a charity is registered in Queensland or if the association they are dealing with is incorporated. It is now possible to undertake a quick online search to determine this. A simple online search tool has been developed by the Office of Fair Trading which provides the name of the charity or incorporated association along with its registration number and the postcode of its postal address. The Queensland Charities and Associations Online Register is a free service and will be a great tool for consumers to check if a charity that has approached them for a donation is authorised to collect those funds. Fundraising charities must be registered under the Collections Act 1966 and are required to lodge annual audited financial statements with the Office of Fair Trading to account for donations collected. These statements are held on a public register which is searchable for a small fee. Similar requirements also apply to incorporated associations which, in many cases, are also registered charities. Incorporation is an important mechanism by which an association gains its own legal status and limits the liability of its members. By and large most charities do the right thing, but from time to time there are organisations which collect funds for charity without being authorised to do so. Confirming whether the entity is appropriately registered is a vote of confidence that the money being donated is for a legitimate charitable purpose. The simple on-line search of charities and associations will assist consumers to determine that the organisation they are dealing with is registered with the Office of Fair Trading and its details are available for a more comprehensive search. This new service complements another service introduced by the Office of Fair Trading on 1 July 2009 to check online if a real estate agent, motor dealer, security provider or a range of other occupations regulated by the Office of Fair Trading are licensed. Both services are available at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au and further details can be obtained by telephoning 13 13 04. Last changed: Jul 22 2010 at 12:12 PM
Back
|
|
