Josh Frydenberg Guide Dogs Victoria

The organisation's chief executive officer Karen Hayes has publicly endorsed the Treasurer in her seat of Kooyong through a social media video and in ...

"It certainly goes to the line where the ACNC would be concerned that it gives the appearance that you have a political purpose." "The Act says that [registered charities] must not have a purpose of promoting or opposing a candidate for office," he said. Murray Baird, a charity lawyer with Prolegis Lawyers, said it was "quite surprising and even extraordinary" that the chief executive of a charity like Guide Dogs Victoria would be endorsing a political candidate. Mr Frydenberg defended the endorsement, describing it as "a proof point" of what he had delivered for his community, and "the public recognition that I've received from these community organisations". "The board of Guide Dogs Victoria fully understands the concerns that have been raised by members of the community and from our supporters about this matter." The organisation has released a statement saying its board had "no prior knowledge of the distribution of this material and does not endorse it".

Charity says it is committed to remaining apolitical and has launched an investigation into endorsement from its CEO.

The advice says charities can engage in “advocacy or campaigning” if those activities further their charitable purpose, or are allowed under the charity’s governing document. Hayes also featured in paid ads published on Frydenberg’s Facebook page. The ACNC released a statement last week reminding charities “to be aware of their obligations regarding political advocacy and campaigning.” The regulator’s Twitter account posted a new link to the advice on Wednesday morning, writing “while advocacy and campaigning are important to the work that many of Australia’s registered charities undertake … it is important to note there are lines that should not be crossed”. It’s confected outrage,” he said. The endorsement by Guide Dogs Victoria could fall foul of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) rules around advocacy and campaigning if it promotes or opposes “a political party or a candidate for political office”. The chair of Guide Dogs Victoria, Iain Edwards, said he had “no prior knowledge” of the ads before they came to light this week, and that the charity was “absolutely committed to its important work as a charitable apolitical organisation”. He said an internal investigation would be conducted into the matter.

Guide Dogs Victoria will investigate why its chief executive appeared in Liberal Party election pamphlets endorsing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in his ...

In a speech to the ACNC in 2019, Zed Seselja – the charities minister of the day – said “activist charities such as groups like Greenpeace Australia Pacific and the Wilderness Society ... do spend a lot of time looking very much like political entities.” Despite concerns raised about the charity endorsements, Frydenberg said Hayes and Sayers were “simply reflecting work” he had done with their organisations. “Guide Dogs Victoria is absolutely committed to its important work as a charitable apolitical organisation in line with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) regulation,” Edwards said in a statement. “Time and time again, Josh has shown his genuine care for Guide Dogs Victoria and the people with low vision and blindness we serve,” the flyer quoted Hayes saying. “We’re doing a $30 million redevelopment of our campus here in Kew at the moment, and we would not have been in a position to have even started it without the support that Josh kicked off,” she said in the video. The pamphlet featured Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive officer Karen Hayes, holding a puppy, with the headline “Why I am supporting Josh Frydenberg”.

The promotional material shows Guide Dogs Victoria's CEO holding a puppy, backing Mr Frydenberg as the memb...

Guide Dogs Victoria have requested the material be immediately removed from circulation. "The board of Guide Dogs Victoria fully understands the concerns that have been raised by members of the community and from our supporters about this matter," they said. They said the board had "no prior knowledge" of the distribution of this material and do not endorse it.