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The Social Services Committee is considering further changes to the Charities Bill announced the Chairperson of the Social Services Committee, Georgina Beyer, today.
This Bill, as introduced, seeks to establish a Charities Commission to register and monitor charitable entities and approved donees to ensure that those entities receiving tax relief continue to carry out charitable purposes and provide a clear public benefit.
"The Committee has now spent considerable time hearing evidence from many submitters on the Bill and agrees with submitters that changes to the bill must be considered", said the Chairperson.
The Minister in charge of the Bill, Hon Margaret Wilson, recently announced a number of policy changes that the Government is proposing to make to the Bill.
"As the committee needs to report this Bill back to the House by 10 December 2004 for it to proceed through its remaining stages there is limited time for the committee to complete its consideration", said the Chairperson.
"To do this, the Committee has authorised the advisers on the Bill to consult directly with a number of sector organisations. This consultation will involve key groups identified by the Committee from organisations that made submissions on the Bill and will occur in November. The feedback from this consultation will inform the Committee's consideration of the Bill", the Chairperson noted.
Depending on the complexity of the feedback the Committee receives as a result of the consultation, the proposed changes are likely to either be made to the Bill when the Committee reports to the House or by way of a supplementary order paper following that report.
"The Committee welcomes further input into the Bill via this consultation process", concluded the Chairperson. Media Release by the Chairperson of the Social Services Select Committee, Georgina Beyer MP.
11 November 2004
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