Disappointing

Romla

Disappointed to see BCNA taking a political stance supporting Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong. I don’t believe BCNA speaks for all members .

https://twitter.com/votejoshout/status/1516764200252895232?s=21&t=namo3EO-6IJ29_L_8Bq-jg

Afraser

It’s always wise not to be partisan when your follower base isn’t there for a clear cut, political reason. And for organisations with a charity status, it’s usually illegal. 

Stork

I have read the ACNC website which states 
Any advocacy or campaigning charities conduct MUST NOT have a purpose to
promote or oppose a political party or candidate for political office

All charities and CEOs Should be apolitical 

The Guide Dogs has had repercussions some donations cancelled and their board is doing a internal investigation into the CEO 
Stork

NoShrinkingViolet

Wow.

The Age's (and the Sydney Morning Herald website) 'Election 2022 LIVE Updates' at12.26pm today, 'Second charity accused of backing Frydenberg':

https://www.theage.com.au/national/election-2022-live-updates-scott-morrison-and-anthony-albanese-go-head-to-head-in-first-leaders-debate-solomon-islands-china-security-pact-fallout-continues-20220420-p5aevl.html?post=p53mdf#p53mdf

Excerpt: 

'Under Australian law, charities risk losing their not-for-profit registration if one of their stated purposes is to “promote or oppose a political party or a candidate for political office”.

Related Article

Australia votes

Guide dogs charity to investigate CEO’s public pitch for Josh Frydenberg

Yesterday,
the board of Guide Dogs Victoria launched an investigation into why CEO
Karen Hayes appeared in the Liberal pamphlets. The board said it had no
knowledge of the material before it was circulated.

In response
to questions about the appropriateness of the TV appearance, a
spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer Network Australia told this masthead
that the charity “does not endorse individual politicians or political
parties”.

“We have been very fortunate to have the support of many
political leaders and our focus is to ensure we can be part of policy
decisions, no matter who is government.”

shs14

I'm incredibly disappointed to read this this morning. I would never push my political views in a health forum or as part of an apolitical platform and having an organisation I'm a member of do so is most upsetting.

Romla

There is a lot of  commentary on Twitter about this today.

Keeping_positive1

Yes, we all have to be quiet, but still allow our government funded broadcasting stations to present biased information! 

Keeping_positive1

@Romla my above comment was a bit of sarcasm.  I don't think her comments are representative of all members, but rather how she finds communications with JF to be clear.  

June1952

It would be interesting to know the full story i.e. what the question was and why Kirsten answered that way.
As @Keeping_positive1 says, Kirsten may have simply been saying that she's had good communication with Josh over time.  Note that she was working at the time, it was not a sit-down interview.
Funny how some stories are shown and sometimes taken the wrong way.
I am sure Kirsten is aware of the implications which supporting political parties may have on BCNA funding.
@Kirsten_BCNA, perhaps you would like to give a brief response to concerned members.

arpie

Hmmm, A very interesting point indeed, @June1952 - the need for the whole context of the reporting should be addressed  ...  

It would definitely seem inappropriate for any Charity CEOs to openly back a specific political party ...  with possible consequences of loss of donations & even loss of Tax Free Charity status ...... 

Keeping_positive1

@June1952 so true we need to get the full picture.  People being human sometimes jump to conclusions, and there you go, you get slandered on Twitter.  You basically can't open your mouth without someone accusing you of something, which may not be true.  

I steer clear of Twitter for that very reason.  

Cath62

Thanks @Romla

Wow Josh this and Josh that. It isn't a good look at all. Omg it actually makes it look like wheeling and dealing on a very personal level. No reference to 'The treasurer' for example but first name basis.  Definitely interested in the context and an explanation because if the is a personal relationship I am concerned about independence, transparency, being a political and corruption. What the?

Keeping_positive1

@Cath62 he is not the Treasurer of Kooyong though, so from that standpoint it makes sense to just use his first name.  Remember also, we don't know who the journalists were?  Nothing is black and white!

Keeping_positive1

Hopefully we will get the full picture from BCNA to put the rumours to rest.

Afraser

The issue isn’t about any individual, it’s about the connnection of an organisation with a political party. The organisation needs to be clear what its spokesperson is speaking for and on whose behalf. If it’s not crystal clear, then best to avoid. 

MissHeliotrope

Board and CEO positions are highly sought after and very well paid. It is not too much to ask that these people are aware of their obligations in respect of their registration as a charity with the ACNC and act accordingly. Charities get tax concessions and deductible gift recipient status and the CEO needs to ensure that she doesn’t jeopardise these. I cannot see how it is excusable for a CEO to publicly endorse a politician in the run-up to an election. It is not done as a private citizen when the person’s job title is shown and they are surrounded by the organisation’s logos and emblems. A member of the public would see that endorsement as the endorsement of the organisation. I doubt these people will get more than a slap on the wrist, but the organisations involved have lost my support and that of like-minded people.