Working With Government
The ACFID-AusAID Partnership
In March 2013, ACFID and the Commonwealth through AusAID (the Australian Agency for International Development) signed a new partnership agreement to order to recognise the ongoing, long standing cooperation between the two organisations and promote a robust and professional Australian international development NGO sector. ACFID acknowledges the important support of the Australian Government for ACFID’s work, with AusAID funding under the AusAID -ACFID partnership augments the core funding provided by ACFID member’s fees.
The partnership supports the application of strong NGO standards through the ACFID Code of Conduct, and supports professional learning and development within the NGO sector. It also supports consultation between the Government and Australian NGOs in areas of expertise such as HIV and AIDS, disability, gender issues in development and humanitarian action. Consultation on the development of AusAID policies and programs where Australian NGOs and their partners work in the same country as the Australian Government is also supported through the partnership.
The agreement recognises that the NGO sector contributes significantly to Australia’s overall international development outcomes.
Any advocacy undertaken by ACFID such as the development, publicising and dissemination of ACFID positions on development issues is fully funded by ACFID members’ fees only and are not part of the ACFID-AusAID Partnership funding.
Download the AusAID-ACFID Memorandum of Understanding
Other Government Departments
ACFID also works closely and maintains dialogue with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on human rights issues, Department of Defence on Civ-Mil issues, Treasury regarding the G20 and multilateral development banks as well as domestic Not for Profit regulatory issues, Attorney General on proscribed organisations (see below) and a range of other government bodies on development issues.
Australian Civil Military Centre
ACFID has an NGO Advisor seconded to the Australian Civil Military Centre. The role of the NGO advisor is to ensure NGO perspectives are considered as the Centre supports the development of Australia’s civil-military capabilities to prevent, prepare for and respond more effectively to conflicts and disasters overseas. This is particularly important because many ACFID members work in emergency and disaster response, where NGOs work alongside the Australian Defence Force personnel.
NGOs and counter-terrorism legislation
DFAT Consolidated List
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a list of individuals and organisations associated with terrorism (the Consolidated List). Under Australian law, it is illegal to provide direct or indirect support for terrorism, and so it is important that Australian NGOs make reference to this list when forming partnerships overseas. The LinkMatchLite software is designed to assist asset holders in finding possible matches between their clients and names on the Consolidated List.
Attorney-General's Department List of Terrorist Organisations
The Attorney-General's Department maintains a List of Terrorist Organisations which have been proscribed by the government as terrorist organisations under Division 102 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Guidelines to safeguard non-profit organisations against terrorism financing
In July 2009, the government released new guidelines to safeguard non-profit organisations against terrorism financing. Safeguarding your organisation against terrorism financing: A guidance for non-profit organisationsaims to build awareness of the risk of being misused for terrorism financing, outline best practice principles which NPOs can undertake to reduce this risk and assist charities understand and comply with legal requirements in relation to terrorism financing.
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