Articles written by Joanne O'Brien

Joanne has an extensive practice across the not-for-profit sector particularly in the aged care and retirement village segment. Joanne is experienced in advising Boards on a range of issues including reviewing and improving constitutions, organisational restructuring, converting from one legal structure to another, mergers and acquisitions, tax endorsements, legal compliance and risk management. Her work is a reflection of a personal desire to work with the community and philanthropic sectors as a way of improving their performance but also putting some meaning into professional life.

Legal

Political Lobbying and Your Charitable Status

Almost a year to the day after the Word Investments case, the ATO has suffered another loss in the High Court of Australia. This time, in the case of Aid/Watch Incorporated v Commissioner of Taxation, the High Court found that Aid/Watch is a charitable institution despite the fact that its activities are mainly directed at influencing government decisions i.e., lobbying. The High Court’s decision is welcome news to the many not for profit organisations that lobby government as a means of achieving their charitable objectives.