Joint media release: Albanese Government ends limbo for eight environmental organisations

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury 

Eight organisations have been added to the Register of Environmental Organisations (REO) as the Albanese Government continues to work through the backlog of advocacy organisations left in limbo by the previous government. 

Entry on the REO gives deductible gift recipient (DGR) status to organisations whose principal purpose is protection and enhancement of the natural environment, or provision of information, education or carrying on of research about the natural environment.

Taxpayers may claim a deduction for donations of $2 or more made to DGRs, helping these organisations raise funds from individuals, companies, and philanthropic foundations for their work. Without DGR status many charities and advocacy organisations would struggle to remain operational. As a result, DGR status was often delayed for organisations that advocated on issues that brought them into conflict with the Morrison Government. 

The eight organisations are: Climate for Change Inc, Our Atmosphere Ltd, Veterinarians for Climate Action Ltd, Zero Emissions Noosa Inc, Climate and Environment Foundation, The Bimblebox Alliance Inc, Whitsunday Conservation Council Inc, and Australian Land Conservation Alliance Limited.

Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP said it’s great that so many Australians care deeply about our environment.

“I look forward to working constructively with everyone who cares about protecting and restoring our natural environment.”

Assistant Minister for Charities, Dr Andrew Leigh said that the eight organisations were further examples of the Morrison Government’s campaign to silence advocates they disagreed with.  

“The Liberals’ war on charities meant that worthy organisations had their charitable status held up for purely political reasons. As Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth and I revealed earlier this year, this meant that harm prevention charities such as the Grace Tame Foundation failed to get tax deductibility under the Liberals.

“Like the harm prevention charities that didn’t get their charity status, environmental organisations have also been victims of the Liberals’ war on charities, often facing unacceptable delays on registrations, simply because their work threatened to embarrass the Morrison Government. 

“By contrast, Labor recognises the valuable role that charities play in our public debate, and we welcome the important role of environmental organisations in advocating for a better environment.”