A National Compact

Comments are due by COB 24 September 2008.

A new partnership between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit sector.

What is National Compact?
Invitation for public comment
What am I invited to comment on?
How do I provide my comments?
When are comments due?
More information
Next Steps

What is National Compact?

The Australian Government, as part of its social inclusion agenda, is exploring ways to develop a new and stronger relationship with the not-for-profit sector, based on partnership and respect.

One way to do this is through a National Compact - an agreement between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit sector that outlines how the two will work together to improve and strengthen their relationship, now and into the future.

Invitation for public comment

A National Compact could also provide a platform for discussion and agreement between the Australian Government and the sector about how to achieve objectives that will benefit the community.

Similar agreements are in place in many Australian states and territories and have been used overseas.

Exactly what a National Compact will look like will depend on what Australia wants it to achieve and what will best suit Australia's unique government and non-profit landscape. The compact could include, but is not limited to:

a statement of mutual roles and responsibilities
plans for sector sustainability
frameworks for dialogue and policy development
collaboration on industry issues
regulatory reform.

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is consulting widely to seek the initial views of community organisations and users of community services about the idea of a National Compact.

What am I invited to comment on?

FaHCSIA is seeking initial views about the idea of a National Compact. Comments will be most effective at this stage if kept short, and could focus on, but not limited to:

the value of developing a compact
the shared values of the sector and government
how a compact could improve the lives of Australians
what a partnership between the government and the sector could look like
who should be party to a National Compact, including how the diversity of the not-for-profit sector could be reflected in the compact
the priority areas of government: sector relations that a compact might focus on
what forms of community engagement would add most value to a sector reform and capacity building agenda
overseas and state experiences of similar agreements that could help to develop a National Compact.

These points are intended as a starting point for discussions with key stakeholders over the coming months.

How do I provide my comments?

Comments can be submitted by email AustralianCompact@fahcsia.gov.au (preferably as a Word attachment) or by post to:

When are comments due?

Comments are due by COB 24 September 2008.

More information

The Australian Government's social inclusion agenda is a whole-of-government approach to provide opportunities for all Australians to participate in the life of the nation.

This social inclusion agenda recognises the importance of giving all Australians:

the opportunity to work
to access the services they need
to connect with their family and friends
to become involved in their local community
to have the skills to deal with crises when they might arise
to have the chance to make their voices heard. It is also about recognising there are barriers that prevent participation.

Promoting social inclusion requires a new way of governing. Australia must rethink how policy and programs across portfolios and levels of government can work together to combat economic and social disadvantage in Australia and break down the barriers to participation.

The agenda recognises the critical role the not-for-profit sector plays in delivering services, advising and developing social policy, and advocating on behalf of marginalised groups. A strong relationship between the government and the sector will be crucial to the success of the agenda and related reforms.

Next Steps

The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) has been commissioned to consult and canvass initial views and principles with its members and other organisations. A schedule of where and when consultations will be held, details of how to register, and a discussion paper are available at ACOSS's website.

Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, has written to a range of peak bodies, state and territory governments and not-for-profit organisations seeking their comments.

An external reference group to advise on the consultation process, to reflect diversity of the sector, is also being established.

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