National Compact Consultation Paper

Building a national compact

Thank you for engaging in this consultation on the development of a national compact.

The Australian Government believes a strong, vibrant, independent and innovative Third Sector is essential to underpin its Social Inclusion Agenda. This agenda has at its core a commitment to create communities where all Australians can participate, learn, engage and have a voice. 

The development of a national compact is an unprecedented opportunity for the Government and the Third Sector to articulate and encourage active and positive partnerships. A national compact recognises the critical contribution of the Third Sector to Australian communities and to supporting the most vulnerable in our society.

Through the Third Sector, governments and communities work together to address key social, environmental and economic challenges. Third Sector organisations act as touchstones for strong public policy, enriching cultural and recreational participation and advocating on behalf of marginalised groups.

The Government is aware that the Sector is facing many challenges related to operating in a rapidly changing policy and economic environment. Some of these changes are happening on a global scale, yet the Sector needs to be able to respond nationally and locally.

The Government and Third Sector representatives also need to consider ways to improve the efficiency of our relationship such as best practice approaches to contracting, accountability and red tape reduction.

The investment that is being made by the Sector and the Government through a compact reflects the commitment of both parties to find new and better ways to work together. This new partnership will allow us to work on the challenges we face, build a stronger Third Sector in Australia and through this, drive innovation, creativity and sustainability in our communities.

I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to provide feedback on the work we have done to date. Your valuable input will help to deliver a national compact which is truly reflective of the positive and respectful partnership we are working towards.

The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector

Contents

• Building a national compact
• Consulting on a compact
• A shared vision and purpose
• Principles – the rules of engagement
• Undertakings – the principles in action
• Prioritising action for the short term
• Implementation and governance of the compact
• Sources for more information
• How to have your say
• Submission cover sheet
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Consultation guide – key questions

Building a national compact

A new way of looking at non-profit organisations

In the past ten years there has been a dramatic shift in the way societies value, affirm and describe the work and contribution of non-profit organisations. We are seeing a new way of thinking about and describing these organisations and their relationships with governments and businesses. Around the world a new school of knowledge is being built around what is now called the Third Sector.

In Australia, every one of us relies on Third Sector organisations in our lives. They include churches, community groups, lifesaving clubs, associations, arts and cultural groups, environmental activities, philanthropic groups, and community service providers as well as organisations who work to provide a voice for the vulnerable in our society.

What is the Third Sector?

The Third Sector refers to a broad range of organisations that are

“formed by people to provide services for themselves or for others, to advance a cause, to share an enthusiasm, to preserve a tradition, to worship a god or gods. Different groups of these organisations are known by different names: non-government organisations (NGOs), charities, unions, cooperatives, clubs, associations, peoples’ organisations, churches, temples, mosques and so on. Collectively, they comprise a third organised sector.”
(Prof Mark Lyons 2003)

A new approach to working together

The Australian Government and Third Sector organisations want to find new ways to work together to support each other’s contribution to our society. The Sector’s work may include providing services on behalf of the Government, helping to build communities’ capacity to manage change, advocating for the vulnerable and voiceless, or promoting strong values for our nation. Some organisations do all those things, others play an important part providing the glue that keeps us connected.

The Government sees that active partnerships are important for its work and that of the Third Sector. Active partnerships create clear expectations and agreements that are based on respect for each other’s roles, strengths, needs and abilities.

Several countries and states have captured the best features of active partnerships in documents that are often referred to as compacts. These compacts are agreements between governments and sector organisations, in which each commits to shared principles and better ways of working together, for the benefit of the whole community. They are usually high level statements that are then supported by plans or codes that outline specific actions to be taken.

This is what the Government and the Third Sector in Australia are working towards.

What is a compact?

A compact is an agreement, developed together by voluntary and community organisations and government. It sets out guidelines for how they want to work together and behave towards each other to achieve a shared vision or purpose.

A new commitment in Australia

The Australian Government made a promise before the 2007 election that it would work with the sector to improve our relationship. It began by asking the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), to help identify the issues that are important in community organisations. The Government also met with representatives from the Third Sector to try to identify and respond to the issues that were causing the biggest problems for organisations.

The Third Sector and the Government were both saying change was needed – and was starting to happen – and that a compact presented an opportunity to cement that change.

Consultation suggested change was needed to improve:

• working relationships between the Government and the Sector
• the effectiveness of policy, planning, programs and services
• the ongoing viability of the Sector.

The Government has convened a number of forums of people from across the Third Sector over the past year to gather ideas for a compact that would build a stronger partnership between the Government and the sector. People who participated saw the potential for a compact to be a stepping-off point for a new relationship that will lead to better policies, programs and services and a stronger sector.

More information about the compact process so far is available on the Social Inclusion website.

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Consulting on a compact

Through this series of consultations and workshops, government and sector leaders have come up with principles they believe are important, and actions which will transform the way the Government, the Third Sector and communities work together in the future.

This consultation paper presents the thinking of government and sector representatives so far, to get your input into the drafting of a national compact. The questions are designed to help people from the Sector and the Government think about how a compact could support real change to improve their work.

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A shared vision and purpose

Throughout the consultation process, participants stressed the need for the compact to have a clear purpose in moving the Sector and the Government towards achievement of a shared vision. The words below are the work so far on these sections of a national compact.

Draft vision for the national compact

The Australian Government and the Third Sector will work together in partnership to improve social, cultural, civic, economic and environmental outcomes, building on the strengths of individuals and communities.  This partnership will contribute to a more inclusive Australian community with better quality of life for all.

Draft purpose for the national compact

This national compact represents a commitment by the Australian Government and the Third Sector to work in a genuine partnership to achieve this shared vision. The compact’s shared principles provide a foundation for action to improve working relationships, strengthen sector viability, and develop and deliver better policy and programs.

Consultation questions – vision and purpose:

• Does the proposed vision sit well with your organisation?
• Is the purpose clear? Does it represent your sense of what this compact can achieve?

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Principles – the rules of engagement

Sector and government representatives have said that the compact should include a statement of agreed principles. Other compacts from around the world have included shared understandings that are essential for a real partnership between the Government and the Third Sector. These principles should be obvious every time the Government and the Sector interact and are the foundation for action and change.

The principles that have emerged as priorities from consultation and discussion to date can be grouped under the following themes:

• Respect
• Inclusiveness
• Diversity
• Effectiveness
• Efficiency
• Sustainability

These are discussed in more detail below, along with questions for you to consider and respond to.

Overarching consultation questions:

As you consider all of the principles discussed below, think about which ones are critical for a stronger relationship between the Government and the Third Sector.

• Are these the principles that will underpin a productive working relationship between the Government and the Sector?
• Are any really important ideas missing?

Respect

The principle of respect recognises the importance of valuing the contribution of the Third Sector and of voluntary activity, and the need for respectful relationships based on understanding

Concepts captured within this principle are:

• recognition of the contribution of the Third Sector to our society
• valuing the economic and social contribution of volunteers
• mutual respect for each other’s strengths and expertise
• understanding each other’s constraints and capacities
• recognising that the Sector and the Government are independent although their relationship is often inter-dependent.

Discussion

An independent, proactive Third Sector is vital for a fair, inclusive society. Recognising this value, the Australian Productivity Commission is currently looking at how to better measure the contribution of the wide range of non-profit organisations that make up the Sector.

It is important to value the contribution of voluntary effort. A significant proportion of organisations in the Sector are completely voluntary, and a large proportion of the remainder are supported by volunteers.

Consultation questions:

• Are the concepts of respect and recognition important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to respect?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Inclusiveness 

The principle of inclusiveness recognises the need for real consultation, engagement and partnership approaches to create better policies, programs and services.

Concepts captured within the principle of inclusiveness are:

• open communication and trusting relationships
• the importance of advocacy by the Third Sector
• genuine consultation that acknowledges constraints as well as opportunities
• the importance of real participation and inclusion of individuals and communities.

Discussion

Both the Sector and the Government have highlighted a need to build greater trust and improve open communication as a way to foster real input into decision-making, improve the focus on outcomes for people and to build cooperation. The Government removed the “constraint on advocacy” clause that was previously imposed on funded organisations. Consultation suggests a need to go further – to state loud and clear that advocating for change and debating public policies are critical roles for the Third Sector. 

Genuine consultation with the Sector and the community has come up consistently in consultation as something that needs to be strongly supported through the compact.

Consultation questions:

• Are the concepts of inclusiveness in consultation and advocacy important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include a reference to inclusiveness?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Diversity

The principle of diversity recognises that diversity in the community – and in the Third Sector – is a strength that both the Sector and the Government need to respond to in all aspects of their work.

Concepts captured within the principle of diversity are:

• active engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
• the importance of equal respect and opportunity for all people, regardless of culture, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or religion
• recognition of the value of diversity within the Third Sector.

Discussion

It is clear that we need different approaches so that different groups in our society have access to services, activities and participation in democratic processes. Consultation suggests a need for the compact to include strong statements about how both the Government and the Sector include and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people from different geographic areas and socio-economic backgrounds.

The Sector itself is as diverse as the community it serves.  As noted by the Productivity Commission, “not for profit organisations range from small, volunteer-based community groups to national service delivery providers employing relatively large workforces”¹.  Sector representatives argue strongly that this diversity is useful in meeting diverse community needs, and should be respected in activities such as consultation, sector development initiatives and administrative processes.

Consultation questions:

• Are the concepts of valuing and responding to diversity important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to diversity?
• What are the key concepts that need to be included when considering this principle?

Effectiveness

The principle of effectiveness recognises that the Third Sector and the Government share a common desire to improve life through cultural, social, humanitarian, environmental or economic activity. Planning and delivery need to focus on outcomes and results, and to continually improve.  

Concepts captured within the principle of effectiveness are:

• the need to focus on outcomes for individuals and communities rather than processes
• the value of person and place-centred approaches that build on the knowledge, networks and capacity of organisations, communities and individuals
• the need for proactive planning to identify and respond to emerging and growing needs
• decision making and policy development based on reliable evidence
• support for learning and improvements through sharing information, research and data
• the need for ongoing improvement for high quality policies, programs and services.

Discussion

Some organisations exist to serve only members and others provide services to the wider community. Many do both. Some organisations focus on specific social and economic issues (such as Indigenous welfare, environmental sustainability or advancement of cultural or religious activity). Others have a broader agenda. The common thread is a desire to improve.

Aspects of this drive for effectiveness captured in compact consultations to date include a need for evidence-based decision making and practice, including a desire for shared access to research and data. A strong theme is the need to continue to improve policy and programs, building on success and strengths.

Emerging needs, such as the growth of communities on the urban fringe, highlight the need to monitor and plan so that we can be effective as society changes.

Consultation questions:

• Are the concepts of effectiveness important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to effectiveness and improving policy, planning and program delivery?
• What are the key concepts that need to be included when considering this principle?

Efficiency

The principle of efficiency recognises a need to focus Government and Sector effort where it counts, balancing accountability requirements with a focus on results. 

Concepts captured within the principle of efficiency are:

• better coordination, cooperation and consistency within the Government and across the Sector
• streamlined regulatory, administrative, purchasing, quality and accountability mechanisms
• accountability and transparency in allocating and using public funds.

Discussion

Consultation has highlighted the potential for the Government to work better across boundaries, departments and programs, and for the sector to cooperate more effectively. 

There is also wide recognition of the need to remove barriers that hinder effective, efficient service delivery. At the same time, Government agencies and Third Sector organisations must be able to demonstrate that they are using public funds for maximum benefit and are providing value for money.

Consultation questions:

• Are the concepts of efficiency important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to efficiency and accountability, planning and program delivery?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Sustainability

The principle of sustainability recognises the need for partnership approaches to build the Sector’s ability to thrive in the future and to innovate and improve. 

Concepts captured within the principle of sustainability are:

• building the Third Sector’s capacity to innovate, adapt and improve sustainability of its infrastructure and revenue streams
• equitable, sustainable funding and procurement policies
• the importance of attracting, developing and retaining a strong paid and unpaid workforce
• supporting collaboration and partnerships within the Sector
• supporting innovation and good practice in planning, governance and operations.

Discussion

The ongoing viability of the range of organisations within the sector is dependent on finding new ways to plan, operate, manage and finance the work of the Sector. Critical elements raised in consultation include the need to shore up a strong workforce, effective organisational systems, appropriate infrastructure, reliable revenue streams and good governance.

Consultation questions:

• Are the concepts of sustainability important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to sustainability?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

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Undertakings – the principles in action

Most of the compacts developed around the world have contained undertakings or commitments from the Government and the Sector. These undertakings are broad commitments to change, usually linked with the principles of the compact. Following the endorsement of the compact, specific plans or codes are developed to flesh out the commitments, outlining actions, responsibilities, targets and timeframes.

In consultation to date, people from both the Government and the Third Sector have made it very clear that they want the compact to include commitments to action which will make a measurable difference.

Consultation over the past year has highlighted a range of actions that people in the Government and the Sector suggest will:

• improve working relationships
• achieve better results for people and communities
• strengthen the viability of the Third Sector.

Some of these action areas are seen as high priorities across the whole Third Sector, while others are important for parts of the Sector. For example, changing the way funding is managed isn’t  important to many voluntary groups, but organisations with government contracts see it as crucial.

A compact is a two-way agreement. It includes commitments or undertakings from both the Sector and the Government to work together on priority issues. The following example from the Queensland compact illustrates the reciprocal nature of a compact.

The Queensland Government agrees to:

• Adopt genuine consultative approaches that seek input into policy development and planning early enough to make a difference

 

The Non-profit Community Services Sector agrees to:

• Participate proactively in planning and policy development processes, clearly stating whose perspectives are being put forward and acknowledging differing views where they exist
• Foster involvement by communities, constituents and service users in planning and policy processes, and to represent their needs and views effectively when they can not participate directly

Excerpt from the Queensland Compact, 2008

 

Consultation question:

• A compact is a two-way agreement. What could your organisation or your sector do differently? What do you want the Government to change?

This consultation paper outlines a “menu” of actions suggested so far, linked with the principles outlined above. The aim is to help the Sector and the Government agree on the priorities they want to start work on in the next two to five years.

Consultation question:

• Do the ideas below capture the action that is needed to improve the working relationship between the Government and Sector organisations?

Actions relating to the principle of respect

Potential undertakings or actions:

• documentation and promotion of the value and contribution of the Sector
• development of skills and improved understanding to better relate to each other
• improved awareness of the constraints and requirements for the Government and the Sector.

Discussion

While there are many differences across the broad Third Sector, there is general agreement on the need to document and acknowledge the contribution the Sector makes to Australian society. Action around this area could build on the current work of the Australian Productivity Commission’s study into the contribution of the not-for-profit sector and the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Non Profit Institutions Satellite Account, which aims to show the contribution of non-profit organisations to the Australian economy.

Consultation has also revealed a sense of a “culture gap” between the Government and the Sector – a need to improve understanding of each other’s values, governance arrangements, accountabilities and working realities.

Actions relating to the principle of inclusiveness

Potential undertakings or actions:

• protection of the right to advocacy, irrespective of any funding relationship that might exist
• development of tools to support advocacy, and building of pathways for advocacy
• development of community engagement, consultation, participation and stakeholder codes or guidelines
• development of a sector voice
• recognition of the role of peak bodies.

Discussion

Solid undertakings to protect the Sector’s right to advocacy have emerged as a high priority in consultation to date. Action around this area would build on the work the Government has done to remove “constraint of advocacy” clauses in Government contracts. Action in this area would further protect the right of Sector organisations to

“campaign, to comment on government policy, and to challenge that policy, irrespective of any funding relationship that might exist”
(United Kingdom Compact).

Compacts in other jurisdictions have led to development of guides or codes for consultation that ensure a real voice for the sector and its constituents. The compact development process has highlighted the lack of a united voice for the Third Sector. These areas could be addressed through action arising from the compact.

Actions relating to the principle of diversity

Potential undertakings or actions:

• recognition of sector diversity in consultation processes and sector development initiatives
• building of partnerships with Indigenous organisations and communities
• development of guidelines for effective engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• support implementation of the National Disability Agreement.

Discussion

Respect for the diversity of the sector implies a commitment to flexibility in government-sector relationships. In other countries, sector diversity is accommodated and nurtured by, for example, flexible information provision, accountability arrangements and consultation processes.

Consultation suggests respectful engagement and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be a priority for both Government and Sector organisations when working with these communities.

There is also strong support for an undertaking to promote real engagement and appropriate ways of working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Diversity has been prioritised in other jurisdictions, for example in the United Kingdom, where one of the codes associated with the compact is the Black and Minority Code of Good Practice.

The need to improve responses to disability has prompted a major Council of Australian Governments (COAG) initiative, the National Disability Agreement, which commits all governments to work in partnership with stakeholders, including people with disability and their families and carers, to improve outcomes for people with disability.

Actions relating to the principle of effectiveness

Potential undertakings or actions:

• improvements in information sharing
• improvements in use of evidence in decision making and practice, including greater access to research and data
• improvements to the focus on community needs and capacity to meet required standards
• development of effective evaluation mechanisms for programs, policies and services.

Discussion

The improved sharing of information has been highlighted as a high priority for action, while recognising the need to respect confidentiality and legislative requirements. Sharing of information and research is seen as a way to learn, improve, and build a shared evidence base to make good decisions.

The principle of effectiveness also requires a commitment to evaluating and improving policy, planning and services and to ensuring all organisations can meet required standards.

Actions relating to the principle of efficiency

Potential undertakings or actions:

• reduction in red tape and streamlining of reporting
• increase in consistency/ simplicity of financial arrangements, including across state and federal jurisdictions
• alignment of planning, program design and service delivery  by both the Sector and the   Government
• examination of sector reporting practices and commitment to develop guidelines  for best practice sector reporting and administration
• reduction in any unnecessary regulatory burden on the Third Sector.

Discussion

Reducing red tape is something the Sector and the Government strongly agree can and should be dealt with soon. This implies simpler financial and performance reporting, and better aligned requirements across programs and departments. Similarly, improving the consistency and simplicity of arrangements from state to state is a high priority.

Actions relating to the principle of sustainability

Potential undertakings or actions:

• initiatives to support effective volunteering
• strategies to promote and foster innovation
• support for partnerships that may bring alternative ways of working and diversified revenue opportunities
• fostering and recognising collaborative practices
• improvements to funding and procurement processes
• responses to paid and unpaid workforce issues – development, attraction, recruitment and remuneration.

Discussion

For many organisations, Government funding is central to their operations. A strong call for improved funding and procurement processes has reverberated through the compact consultation to date.

The ongoing viability of the organisations within the Third Sector is clearly a significant concern for many. Strategies to improve sustainability of the workforce are a high priority across much of the Sector, even those parts of it where the workforce is entirely unpaid. This recognises the need to support and attract volunteers as well as paid workers.

Sector and Government representatives have acknowledged the need for action to build partnerships and find new ways of working to keep the sector strong and effective in the future.

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Prioritising action for the short term

It will be helpful to prioritise action so that the compact can start to make a real difference as soon as possible. In the consultation process so far, eight areas have emerged as high priorities for short- term action, with wide support from sector organisations.

High priority actions for the sector emerging from consultation to date include:

• documentation and promotion of the value and contribution of the Sector
• protection of the right to advocacy, irrespective of any funding relationship that might exist
• recognition of Sector diversity in consultation processes and sector development initiatives
• improvements in information sharing, including greater access to publicly funded research and data
• reduction in red tape and streamlining of reporting
• increase in consistency/simplicity of financial arrangements, including across state and federal jurisdictions
• improvements to funding and procurement processes
• responses to paid and unpaid workforce issues – development,  recruitment, retention and remuneration.

Consultation questions:

• In your view does this list reflect the top priorities for action in the next two years?
• Are there high priority actions that are missing from this list?
• Can you rate the priority of action areas?

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Implementation and governance of the compact

Once the compact is agreed, it will be necessary to develop systems and strategies to implement, monitor and report on the compact principles and undertakings.

Discussion

It is envisaged that the Government will sign up to the compact and will encourage Third Sector organisations, large and small, to also sign up as a demonstration of good faith in the way we want to work together. The compact would be a voluntary agreement. Individual organisations and peak bodies could be invited to sign up to this new and agreed way of working on behalf of their members. Having many signatures to the compact will make it an active and participatory relationship.

The compact will need to be managed by the Government and the Sector in partnership. This would require a governance mechanism for the Sector and one within the Government.

Following the lead of other jurisdictions and considering views put forward by the Sector to date, a National Compact Council, comprising Third Sector champions could be an appropriate mechanism to represent the interests of the Third Sector in matters relating to the national compact.

The Council could have responsibility for developing a five-year action plan that will give life to the national compact, and for recommending processes to resolve differences.

Consultation questions:

• Are the proposed implementation arrangements workable?
• How do you see the sector’s governance arrangements working?
• What governance arrangements would you like to see the Government adopt to work most effectively with the Sector?

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Sources for more information

Looking at other compacts is helpful for understanding what a compact is and what it can achieve. Here are some good examples:

• United Kingdom Compact and Codes
• Scottish Compact
• Queensland Compact

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How to have your say

There are a number of ways to get involved and have your say. 

Online forum

If you would like to be involved in a live discussion forum on the development of a national compact, you can register your interest on the Social Inclusion website. Following registration you will be forwarded login details.

Discussion forums

There are a number of discussion forums open in the online forum.  These forums allow you to provide comment on key issues of interest to you, in relation to the development of a national compact.  Your input to the online poll and ideas board is also very welcome. 

Written submissions

We encourage you to review the consultation paper and use the key consultation questions as a guide to provide a written submission. 

All submissions can be forwarded to australiancompact@fahcsia.gov.au, or sent to

National Compact Section
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610

or faxed to 02 6204 7423

Please use the attached submission form if you would like to respond to the consultation questions in writing.  Please provide your submissions as a Word document if possible. Additional copies of this consultation paper can be downloaded from the Social Inclusion website.

The closing date for written submissions is 30 September 2009. Please note: the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is processing all the written submissions received. 

Privacy consent

Please complete and sign the attached Internet Privacy Consent Form and send in with your submission if you agree to your submission being made public.  If you do not return the form, we will assume that you wish your submission to be kept confidential. 

Please note, if third party individuals are named in your submission, they also need to complete and sign the attached form.  If third party individuals do not sign the form, their details will be deleted from the submission before publication.

Consultation toolkit

We have developed a toolkit to help interested individuals, communities, organisations and peak bodies who would like to know more about the national compact. This toolkit will be available to download or, can be requested by emailing australiancompact@fahcsia.gov.au or calling 1800 607 839.  It includes the consultation paper and some learning circle materials.

Public consultations

We will also continue to meet with parts of the Sector about what a national compact could mean for them.  More information on these consultations will be available on the Social Inclusion website and the FaHCSIA website.

Please contact us by phoning 1800 607 839 or emailing australiancompact@fahcsia.gov.au if you would like:

• a hard copy of this paper and the submission form
• to know more about how and where to make a submission
• an alternative way of providing your information
• this document in an alternative format, such as an audio recording on CD, in Braille, or in easy English.

If you wish to use the TTY number you can call 1800 555 677.

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Submission cover sheet

Tell us about your organisation. Inclusion of your personal information is optional.

• Size of organisation (if applicable)
  • 0-10 staff (including volunteers)
  • 10-20 staff (including volunteers)
  • 20-50 staff (including volunteers)
  • 50-100 staff (including volunteers)
  • More than 100 staff (including volunteers)
• How would you describe the purpose of your organisation?
• What is your organisation’s main source of financing?
  • Government funding
  • Fees and charges
  • Philanthropy and donations
  • Interest from endowments
• What part of the Third Sector does your organisation belong to?
  • Culture and recreation
  • Education and research
  • Health
  • Social services
  • Environment
  • Development and housing
  • Law, advocacy and politics
  • Philanthropic intermediaries and voluntarism promotion
  • International
  • Religion
  • Business and professional associations and unions
• Your contact details (optional)
  • Name:
  • Address:
  • Phone/Fax:
  • Email:
  • Website:

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Privacy and confidentiality

Your information is being collected for the purpose of informing the building of a national compact between the Government and the Third Sector and to provide information to the Government about the feedback received from this consultation process. Your personal information such as your name, address, telephone number and where available your email address may be published on the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) website or the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Contents of your submission may also be published on the FaHCSIA website and on the Social Inclusion website.  They may also be published in the FaHCSIA summary report and annual report as well as other FaHCSIA newsletters and internal communications.

If there are any part or parts that you would not like published please make clear in your submission. If you would prefer your name or personal details to not be included in the publication of your submission please indicate this also.

Besides publication, your submission may be disclosed by the department to other Commonwealth departments and/or ministers as is necessary.

If your submission contains personal information about third party individuals (including other persons’ names), the department may decide not to publish those details, or may need to obtain the consent of those parties for publication.

Intellectual property

Please understand that by submitting a contribution, you accept full responsibility for ensuring that in making your contribution your intellectual property rights are not lost or diminished. This is for your own protection.

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (‘the Department’) does not warrant that any material or information you contribute will be protected against loss, misuse or alteration by third parties. In particular, the Department does not warrant that you will not suffer loss or diminution of any intellectual property rights you currently own or may be able to obtain in relation to any material or information that you contribute.

If your contribution includes material in which the copyright is owned by another person or entity, you warrant that you have obtained all necessary permissions, authorisations, licences and consents required for the use of such materials and have made arrangements for the payment of any royalties or other fees payable in respect of the use of such material. 
You agree to indemnify the Department against any loss, liability, claim, demand, damage or expense (including legal fees) asserted by an third party (including yourself) arising out of a breach of the warranty referred to above or of these terms and conditions.

You grant the Department a royalty-free and irrevocable licence to do any act comprised in the copyright (including reproducing, publishing, performing or communicating to the public) in relation to the stories, material or information you contribute.

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Consultation guide – key questions

Consultation questions – vision and purpose:

• Does the proposed vision sit well with your organisation?
• Is the purpose clear? Does it represent your sense of what this compact can achieve?

Overarching consultation questions – the compact principles:

As you consider all of the principles discussed below, think about which ones are critical for a stronger relationship between the Government and the Sector.

• Are these the principles that will underpin a productive working relationship between the Government and the Sector?
• Are any important ideas missing?

Consultation questions: principle of respect

• Are the concepts of respect and recognition important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include a reference to respect?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Consultation questions: principle of inclusiveness

• Are the concepts of inclusiveness in consultation and advocacy important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include a reference to inclusiveness?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Consultation questions: principle of diversity

• Are the concepts of valuing and responding to diversity important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to diversity?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Consultation questions: principle of effectiveness

• Are the concepts of effectiveness important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to effectiveness and improving policy, planning and program delivery?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Consultation questions: principle of efficiency

• Are the concepts of efficiency important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to efficiency and accountability, planning and program delivery?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Consultation questions: principle of sustainability

• Are the concepts of sustainability important for your organisation’s work and your relationship with the Government?
• Do the compact principles need to include references to sustainability?
• What are the key ideas that need to be included when considering this principle?

Consultation questions: actions and undertakings

• A Compact is a two-way agreement. What could your organisation or your sector do differently? What do you want the Government to change?
• Do the actions in the consultation paper capture the action that is needed to improve the working relationship between the Government and Sector organisations?

Consultation questions: prioritising the actions

• In your view does the list below of high priority short term actions reflect your top priorities for action in the next two years?
• Are there high priority actions that are missing from this list?

Can you rate the priority of action areas in the table below? (with 1 being your highest priority and 8 your lowest)

Consultation questions: implementation of the compact

• Are the proposed implementation arrangements workable?
• How do you see the Sector’s governance arrangements working?
• What governance arrangements would you like to see the Government adopt to work most effectively with the Sector?

[ Contents ]

1. 1. Australian Productivity Commission, April 2009, Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector: Issues Paper