Wow. Words fail me. Eco terrorists at it again... Why dont they focus on how big polluters are evading tax? Oh yeah thats right... They fund their campaigns and put them into office... The Federal Liberal party is targeting environmental groups it claims may be using tax deductible donations to fund illegal activism. The Federal member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic, introduced a motion yesterday at the partys federal council meeting to strip eco-charities of the same rights permitted to other charities, including tax-deductable donations. Too often these groups, attract concessions and donations, then engage in illegal activities Mr Nikolic said taxpayers should not be subsidising the actions of 13 environmental groups who are allowed to recieve tax-deductable donations. He believed some of the groups practice political activism. There are organisations like the Wilderness Society, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Bob Brown Foundation and all the Environmental Defenders Offices which are also currently recognised as charities as well and what you see many of these groups doing is engaging in the sort of activism that is at odds with Tasmania’s future prosperity, he said. There are some of those groups that unfortunately abuse that privilege, they engage in untruthful, destructive attacks on legitimate business and undertake political activism, which shouldnt attract those very generous concessions from the taxpayer. “I moved the motion because I think the activities of these groups has been enormously damaging on our state of Tasmania, I think we’ve seen for far too long these groups undertaking activities like boot camps and engaging in political activism, illegal activism. We are a free society, where people can protest and have their say, but too often these groups attract concessions and donations, then engage in illegal activities. It’s just not right. There are some 583 environmental groups who are improved by the Department of Environment, and 13 listed in the tax act who receive deductable donations, often those donations are not used for the sort of activities that the donors intended but for illegal activities and I don’t think that’s right. Draconian response: Wilderness Society The Wilderness Society said attempts to stop green groups from organising boycotts of Australian products, such as Tasmanian timber, is an attack on free speech. Campaign manager Vica Bayley described the moves as draconian. He said for decades environment groups have delivered incredibly valuable outcomes for Australia. Tax deductibility is put to good use in representing the environment, in speaking out for the environment against destructive activities and thats entirely appropriate, he said. Places like the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmanias wilderness and other spectacular areas...that are the engine rooms of regional economies..wouldnt be protected if it wasnt for groups like the Wilderness Society. Any policy is a long way off, with the changes affecting many pieces of state and federal legislation.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 03:42:26 +0000
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