Charities Commission to be operating by next year

A commission that would register charities and monitor their activities should be operating next year, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

Cabinet signed off the design details of the Charities Commission this week.

The idea for a commission followed a report by a working party on charities.

"The commission will be responsible for registering organisations seeking charitable status, monitoring their activities, receiving annual returns, providing advice and support to the sector and advising the Government on charity-related issues," Dr Cullen said.

It would be a crown agent and would have statutory independence in relation to registration decisions, but would operate under the aegis of the Minister of Commerce and the Ministry of Economic Development.

The Government hoped to have the legislation setting up the commission before Parliament by mid-year.

- NZPA