ACNC - Overseas charity conduct

Question

1. Commissioner, recent reporting by Michael West Media alleges that ACNC-registered charities benefiting from Australian taxpayer subsidies have hosted fundraisers linked to the IDF and illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. 2. Has the ACNC investigated whether Australians are effectively being forced to subsidise a military that leading human rights organisations and genocide experts all agree is committing genocide in Gaza? 3. Commissioner, Australians are increasingly concerned that taxpayer-subsidised charities may be helping channel funds to organisations linked to the IDF and illegal settlements while Israel commits genocide. 4. How many complaints has the ACNC received about Israel-linked charities since October 2023? 5. Has a single one of those complaints led to a formal investigation? 6. Australia considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law, yet Michael West Media alleges Australian charities have hosted fundraising campaigns tied to settlement communities in places like Tekoa and Hebron. 7. Has the ACNC investigated whether charitable funds subsidised by Australian taxpayers are supporting illegal occupation? 8. Commissioner, is a charity directing funds to organisations connected to a military committing genocide or illegal settlement activity compliant with External Conduct Standard 4, which requires charities to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals overseas? 9. Australians donate to charities believing they are relieving suffering, not potentially helping fund a military commiting genocide and an illegal occupation. 10. Does the ACNC accept there is a profound moral and legal concern here, and what action has it taken in response?

Answer

See attached response.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000265 ACNC - Overseas charity conduct.pdf (opens in a new tab)