Compact History
- The National Compact: working together
- Consultation Process
- National Compact Joint Taskforce
- National Compact Sector Advisory Group
◦National Compact Sector Advisory Group members
The National Compact: working together
The National Compact was launched on 17 March 2010 at Parliament House at a formal signing event attended by leaders from across government and the not-for-profit sector.
The National Compact: working together was developed as a high-level document, based on aspirations and principles, which provides a framework for new ways of governing, including through forming innovative partnerships with the sector.
It is the result of almost two years extensive consultation with organisations from across the sector and reflects the commitment of all parties to find better ways to work together.
Download a copy of the National Compact.
Consultation Process
A whole-of-government approach to the development of the National Compact was led by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Consultation indicated broad support for the development of a National Compact to improve relationships and ways of working between the government and the sector.
Initial consultation phase
During 2008, the Government consulted widely with representative groups and organisations across the not-for-profit sector about developing a Compact between the Australian Government and the sector and the elements it might contain.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) was commissioned to consult and canvas initial views and principles with its members and other organisations. ACOSS distributed a discussion paper on the Compact and held a series of public forums across Australia from July to October 2008.
Second consultation phase
Views on the National Compact were sought via a survey and online forum. There were 180 respondents to the survey.
National Compact Joint Taskforce
The role of the National Compact Joint Taskforce was to develop a framework for the Compact containing key priorities and principles for the relationship between Government and not-for-profit sector organisations. This framework evolved into the Compact as we know it today.
The Joint Taskforce included members from not-for-profit sector organisations, Commonwealth Government agencies, local government and the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
National Compact Joint Taskforce members
- Barry Sheehan, as Director of Centacare Toowoomba
- Christine Ellis, as National Development Manager of Conservation Volunteers Australia
- Jill Lang, as Director of Queensland Council of Social Service
- John Atkin, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Trust Company Ltd
- John Ryan, as Community Campaign Coordinator of Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Kristen Hilton, as Executive Director of Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH)
- Lynne Dalton, as Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Volunteering
- Mary Agostino, as Manager, Family Services of Whittlesea Council
- Mat Tinkler, as Acting Executive Director (for the duration of Ms Hilton’s leave) of PILCH
- Natalie Walker, as Chief Executive of Aboriginal Employment Strategy
- Phil Harrison, as Director, Corporate and Government Affairs of Conservation Volunteers Australia
- Toby Hall, as Chief Executive Officer of Mission Australia
Representatives from the following Australian Government agencies:
- Australian Agency for International Development
- Australian Public Service Commission
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts
- Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- Department of Health and Ageing
- Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Department of Treasury
National Compact Sector Advisory Group
On 17 February 2010 the National Compact Sector Advisory Group was convened to help:
- develop the implementation strategy for the National Compact
- promote the National Compact across the sector
- advise the government on the relationship between the National Compact and the not-for-profit sector reform agenda.
National Compact Sector Advisory Group members
- Ms Anne Robinson – NSW
- Fr Brian Lucas – NSW
- Dr Bro Sheffield-Brotherton – VIC
- Mr David Crosbie – ACT
- Dr Ingrid Burkett – QLD
- Mr James Demetriou – VIC
- Ms Maryanne Diamond – VIC
- Ms Nada Roude – NSW
- Dr Ron Edwards – WA
- Mr Simon Schrapel – SA
- Ms Stephanie Harvey – ACT
The Not-For-Profit Sector Reform Council was announced in December 2010 and replaced the functions of the National Compact Sector Advisory Group.