The charity sector "overwhelmingly" believes that the Abbott government has got it wrong in its attempt to abolish the national charities watchdog, World Vision chief executive Reverend Tim Costello says.
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In an address to the National Press Club on Monday Mr Costello referred to a new survey that found that 82 per cent of those surveyed in the charity sector think the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission is important or very important in "developing a thriving not for profit sector". Only six per cent of those surveyed by Pro Bono Australia supported moving the commission's functions to the Australian Tax Office, as per Coalition policy.
Mr Costello said that "very powerful particular interests" had managed to convince the government to disband the ACNC, despite the strong levels of sector support.
"There was a view from particularly one church denomination that we don't want a secular, atheistic regulator in charge," Mr Costello said. Fairfax Media has previously reported that Cardinal George Pell's office had lobbied the Coalition to get rid of the charities regulator.
The World Vision head said the survey results sent a very clear message to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews that "if you take us seriously, if it's is a mature relationship ... allow the ACNC to continue", Mr Costello said.
"The sector overwhelmingly believes the government has got it wrong in its attempts to dismantle the ACNC and return the regulation of the sector to the ATO."
The Gillard government set up the ACNC in late 2012, after at least seven inquiries highlighted the need for an independent charity regulator. Among its other duties, the commission registers charities, helps them meet their obligations, investigates complaints and maintains a publicly searchable database of charities.
Before the 2013 election, the Abbott government pledged it would abolish the ACNC, arguing it created too much red tape. The legislation to abolish the watchdog was introduced into the lower house in March, but has not yet been voted on.
On Monday, Mr Costello said that he hoped the government's plans for the ACNC would "go the way of 18C [and] there will be a change of mind".
"It really is a profound mystery to me why repealing is still on the books," Mr Costello said.
"Anything that [the government] have to invent in the future will cost as much."
St Vincent's Health Australia chief executive Toby Hall said the ACNC had already got off to a good start
It has already more than 60,000 charities on its register and last month revoked the charity status of 246 organisations it had not been able to locate.
"Why get rid of something that we've asked for?" Mr Hall asked.
