Family First has lodged a formal submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee opposing the Albanese Government’s move to grant special Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status to Equality Australia.
National Director Lyle Shelton said the proposal, contained in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025, overrides the findings of the charities regulator, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court — all of which rejected Equality Australia’s claim to Public Benevolent Institution status.
“Equality Australia was found to be primarily an advocacy organisation, not a benevolent relief charity. Instead of accepting those rulings, it lobbied Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh for special legislative treatment,” Mr Shelton said.
The submission (PDF attached) also raises concerns about Equality Australia’s past use of Thorne Harbour Health to channel tax-deductible donations while its own DGR bid was rejected.
“Tax-deductible status is a public subsidy. It should not be granted through political carve-outs,” Mr Shelton said.
Family First further argues it is inappropriate for taxpayers to subsidise an organisation that publicly campaigns for puberty blockers and hormone treatments for minors, at a time when such practices are being reassessed overseas, including in the United Kingdom following the closure of the Tavistock child gender clinic.
The submission also notes concerns about the appropriateness of Governor-General Sam Mostyn serving as patron of an organisation receiving special legislative preference.
“Some organisations should not be more equal than others. The integrity of Australia’s tax and charity system is at stake,” Mr Shelton said.
Contact details:
media@familyfirstparty.au
