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Code of Conduct history

 

The table below summarises the Code of Conduct’s history. For a more detailed report on the background of the Code see ACFID Code of Conduct – Historical Contexts.

1986 The Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) produced a voluntary code of ethics for non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs).
1989 ACFOA Council adopted the Code of Ethics as mandatory for ACFOA members.
October 1994 The Industry Commission released a draft report on accountability of community social welfare organisations (CSWOs). The report recommended accounting standards for CSWOs, including NGDOs.
March 1995 After public allegations were made against a non-ACFOA member NGDO, the Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Gordon Bilney MP, consulted with stakeholders and agreed to form a Code of Practice Advisory Committee (COPAC) and a working group from AusAID and ACFOA with recognition of the ACFOA Code of Ethics already in place.
May 1995 Code of Practice Advisory Committee (COPAC) established by the Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Gordon Bilney MP, to advise on possible measures to strengthen public accountability by international development NGOs.
August 1995 COPAC report submitted to Minister Bilney. Report recommendations included:
  • that a Code of Conduct Committee be established and financed by ACFOA under the auspices of the Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs;
  • the Code of Conduct Committee develop a code of conduct and seek wide NGDO input in doing so.
October 1995 Interim Code of Conduct Committee appointed (ICCC) and chaired by Ms Kay Setches with the first meeting held in Sydney on 22 November 1995. First task of the ICCC was to draft a code of conduct for international development NGOs.
September 1996 ACFOA Council adopts the Code of Conduct developed by the ICCC as mandatory for members of ACFOA and other non ACFOA member NGDOs wishing to access AusAID funding — taking effect 30 June 1997.
October 1996 Election for Inaugural Code of Conduct Committee. Elected were:
  • Kay Setches (Chair)
  • Boyne Alley — WVA
  • Chris Franks — ACA
  • Mary Gilchrist — Paulian Association
  • Bill Leslie — APHEDA
  • Bob Romanes — YMCA
  • Heather Saville — QSA
  • Peter Westerway — PCA
February 1997 Inaugural meeting of the Code of Conduct Committee held.
30 June 1997 Code of Conduct became mandatory for all ACFOA members and any other non-ACFOA member agencies wishing to access AusAID funding.
27 February 1998 Official launch of the Code of Conduct by Governor-General Sir William Deane
2002 After extensive review and consultation a revised Code of Conduct was adopted. Revised format included new clauses including:
  • child protection
  • best practice in human resource management
  • gender equity
  • links to other international codes.
In addition, the format of the Code changed significantly and a new Guidance Document was endorsed which provided extensive information on how to implement the Code of Conduct standards.
2003 Implementation of new powers for the Code of Conduct Committee to allow it to initiate its own investigations. Until this point the Committee could only investigate an agency if a formal complaint had been received.
2003 Expansion of the Code of Conduct Committee to allow for expert appointments. These positions are currently filled with experts in the area of fundraising and accounting standards.
March 2004 ACFOA becomes ACFID (Australian Council for International Development)
2004 Adoption of a new clause to ensure that funds raised for aid and development are not used to promote religious belief or to support political parties. New clause commonly referred to as the 'No Strings Attached' clause.
2005 Asian tsunami response. Following the events of 26 December 2004 and the huge outpouring of generosity by the Australian public, the Code of Conduct Committee:
  • instituted a new assessment process of website based fundraising material of Code signatories to ensure compliance with Code fundraising requirements — the success and usefulness of this process has meant it has now become a standard element of the Committee's response to large scale disasters;
  • amended the Code to include a requirement for agencies responding to the tsunami disaster to include more detailed financial and descriptive information regarding their response activities.
2007 Independent review of the Code of Conduct commenced to investigate whether the Code is meeting stakeholder expectations and to provide direction for future strengthening and expansion to ensure it remains world’s best practice.
2008 '10 Years of the Code' anniversary celebration held at Parliament House.

'Stage 1 – Current Situation Report' released. This report was an external review of the Code from inception to July 2007.
2009 'Stage 2 – Review of the Content of the Code' initiated. Due to the scope of the review, a consulting company The Navigator Company was engaged to undertake this review. Extensive consultation was undertaken, culminating in a resolution at ACFID’s Annual General Meeting.

Five resolutions relating to the Code accepted at ACFID’s Annual General Meeting. These covered:
  • revised complaints handling process
  • control and security of funds
  • revised financial reporting requirement
  • Code Review way ahead for 2010.
ACFID Code of Conduct complaints handling process revised and inserted into the ACFID Code of Conduct.

The ACFID Code of Conduct Committee undertook a comprehensive review of the ACFID Code of Conduct financial reporting requirements. This revision aligned Code reporting requirements with accounting best practice and included a shift to differential reporting.

The Code of Conduct Committee developed guidance for the control and security of funds. This clause requires signatories to assess relevant risks and opportunities prior to disbursing funds to a third party (including international affiliates or overseas partner organisations).

The general direction of the Code Review for 2010 agreed at Council 2009. This was an important step in the development of the new Code, as it ensured a consensus agreement of the direction the revised Code would take.
2010 The Code Review will continue, involving extensive consultation with internal and external ACFID stakeholders.

The Revised Code in its entirety will be presented to ACFID’s Annual General Meeting in October 2010.