Page 2497 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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(2) acknowledges the ACT Government’s own compact with the non profit sector in the ACT and recognises the mutual benefits that the Federal compact will have in strengthening partnerships with the non profit sector.
I am happy to move this motion today in support of the federal government’s consultation with the not-for-profit sector in relation to the development of a national compact.
When we think about the not-for-profit sector, the organisations that mostly come to mind are those who provide community services, such as Meals on Wheels, home visiting and volunteer transport services. However, this sector should not just be seen to be encompassing community services alone. It is made up of organisations that play a wide variety of roles, from emergency services through to arts and cultural organisations, sporting and environmental organisations, and education and support organisations.
Before considering the relevance of a compact between the sector and the federal government, understanding the diversity and size of the sector is important. The sector is made up of numerous clubs and organisations, large and small, with diverse purposes and objectives. At the dawn of the new millennium, the ABS counted over 700,000 non-profit organisations across the country. Over eight per cent of Australia’s workforce can be found in the not-for-profit sector—a sector that currently turns over $75 billion per annum.
Organisations that work with volunteers are a key component of the sector. Presently, more than five million Australians volunteer their time each year, contributing an estimated $42 billion to the economy each year. As the Chief Minister said at the launch of the Volunteer of the Year award ceremony this year, this yearly contribution is the same size as the recent federal government stimulus package.
The $75 billion that is turned over by the sector each year is not insubstantial and is roughly equivalent to the contribution of Australia’s agricultural industry. Due consideration should also be given to the significant proportion of the nation’s workforce that is employed in this sector.
On 17 March this year, the Deputy Prime Minister and the parliamentary secretary for social inclusion and the voluntary sector made a joint announcement that the Productivity Commission will examine the contribution of the not-for-profit sector. The Productivity Commission will examine the contribution of the sector in order to assess how its contribution to Australian society is currently measured and how these measures can be improved. I feel certain that this report will also confirm the importance of the sector to Australian society and the economy. The commission will also provide a final report by the end of the year.
As I said, the not-for-profit sector contributes eight per cent of Australia’s workforce, let alone the huge number of volunteer staff. Of course, the social contribution of the sector in providing support and building social cohesion and wellbeing is invaluable. It is the social glue that holds our society together. A survey conducted by the NRMA
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