Science at risk of being strangled

Science at risk of being strangled

The Australian Government is trying to push through reforms that will tell us how to spend your donations.   

The proposed reforms include directing all environmental charities to spend at least 25% of their funds on direct environmental remediation, such as tree planting and weed control.

Forcing charities who have no experience or expertise in environmental remediation to spend 25% of their funds is draconian and anti-democratic. Charities are experts in their issue area and should independently decide their activities.

Research, education, communications, media and advocacy undertaken by environmental charities, like the Climate Council, is critical. It should not be undermined ...

The Australian Government is trying to push through reforms that will tell us how to spend your donations.   

The proposed reforms include directing all environmental charities to spend at least 25% of their funds on direct environmental remediation, such as tree planting and weed control.

Forcing charities who have no experience or expertise in environmental remediation to spend 25% of their funds is draconian and anti-democratic. Charities are experts in their issue area and should independently decide their activities.

Research, education, communications, media and advocacy undertaken by environmental charities, like the Climate Council, is critical. It should not be undermined.

This is a challenge to our democracy. Together we have stood up before to the stifling of science and democratic debate. It is time to do so again.

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Call your Local Member

Can you call your local MP’s office to let them know you're concerned about environmental organisations, like the Climate Council having to spend 25% of your donations on remediation work like planting trees and weed control?

When someone picks up the phone, let them know why you’re calling

For example, “Good morning/Good afternoon, I live in this electorate, and I’m calling to let my member of Parliament know my concerns about proposed reforms to Australian charities (The DGR Reforms Discussion Paper). 

Describe the issue

The Australian Government is trying to stfile the way that charities spend their funds, by directing environmental charities to spend 25% or more of their funds on environmental remediation ...

When someone picks up the phone, let them know why you’re calling

For example, “Good morning/Good afternoon, I live in this electorate, and I’m calling to let my member of Parliament know my concerns about proposed reforms to Australian charities (The DGR Reforms Discussion Paper). 

Describe the issue

The Australian Government is trying to stfile the way that charities spend their funds, by directing environmental charities to spend 25% or more of their funds on environmental remediation work, such as tree planting and weed control. 

Outline your concerns

For example:

  • “Forcing environmental organisations to spend 25% of their funds on remediation work such as planting trees or removing weeds is draconian and anti-democratic. Research, education and advocacy is at the core of environmental work and this reform would hinder their ability to do so“

  • “I donate to charities, and I don’t think the government should direct how charities should spend their funds”

  • “Charities play an important role in our democracy, and limiting their activities, via forcing them to spend funds is against our principles of democracy.”

Don’t forget to thank them.

Political offices are always busy, try to keep your call short, thank them for their time and hang up.

 

Unique messages are the best messages.

 Don’t feel like you need to follow the talking points exactly. Please speak in your own words if you wish. 

Make your call count, tell us how it went

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