Access Canberra will take no action against an international charity after it held a fundraiser in the capital without a valid licence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sunrise Cambodia apologised for the fault, saying an "administrative oversight" had been the cause.
An online search of Access Canberra's records showed The Australia Cambodia Foundation Incorporated, trading as Sunrise Cambodia, held a Charitable Collection Licence (ACT) from 21 June 2011 to 20 June 2016.
This licence had been allowed to lapse before being renewed again on February 13.
But the charity did not hold a valid licence for at the time of a $125 per head black tie dinner at The Abbey Function Centre, Nicholls on February 4.
Sunrise Cambodia founder Geraldine Cox attended the night, which included a fine art auction.
An ACT Government spokeswoman said Access Canberra wrote to the charity to seek detail on the lapsed registration at the time of the fundraiser.
"Access Canberra determined that while Sunrise Cambodia had a lapse in its local licence status at the time of the fundraising event, the purpose of the donations did not alter and national registration remained," she said.
"Access Canberra took into consideration the … information provided by the charity, the considerations of 'risk and harm' as outlined in the Access Canberra Accountability Commitment, the recent amendments to the ACT charitable collection legislation (which does not require charities to now register locally as well as nationally) … and made a decision that no further compliance action was required in relation to this issue."
Changes to the Charitable Collections Act in the ACT, which came into effect on July 1, means organisations registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission no longer need a Charitable Collection Licence to fundraise in the ACT.
The spokeswoman said: "This cuts red tape for charities in needing the dual registration and prevents circumstances such as what may have occurred in this instance."
Sunrise Cambodia chief executive George Passas said an "administrative oversight" had caused the incident.
"In February, our founder Geraldine Cox was guest speaker at an event, which was held by another organisation, to raise funds for Sunrise Cambodia's charity work," Mr Passas said.
"Due to an administrative oversight, our licence had expired at the time. We have taken steps to ensure our licences are up-to-date nationally.
"We are sorry for the error, and as always, we are grateful for the generous support of our donors."
Meanwhile, South Australian Consumer and Business Services confirmed Sunrise Cambodia was again eligible to operate in the southern state after an licensing issue in that state earlier this year.
The charity's right to work in South Australia had been temporarily suspended after it failed to lodge financial statements for the 2015-16 financial year.
Mr Passas confirmed the financial information had been recently lodged and accepted.
A South Australian Consumer and Business Services spokesperson said, under current South Australian law, a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for Profits Commission did not need to apply for a South Australian licence.
"However, they do need to register their intent to operate in South Australia with Consumer and Business Services," the spokesperson said.
"The Australia Cambodia Foundation has now lodged the required financial details and also advised of its intent to collect in South Australia under a licence granted by the ACNC.
"As such, they are now formally entitled to operate in South Australia. Consumer and Business Services is satisfied no further action is needed in this matter."
