Australian government crackdown on charities will stifle political advocacy, experts say

The Coalition has been urged to abandon changes that would allow charities to be deregistered if a volunteer commits a summary offence

A group of not-for-profit and philanthropy experts have warned a planned crackdown on charities by the Coalition will muzzle the sector, restrict dissent, and stifle political advocacy.

The federal government is currently pursuing regulatory change to allow for the deregistration of charities in cases where any of their volunteers commit a summary offence, the most minor of legal breaches.