[Aidwatch] AID/WATCH charity case goes to the High Court of Australia

Mon Oct 26 16:51:19 PDT 2009

AID/WATCH E-Bulletin Tuesday 27 October 2009

1.   UPDATE: AID/WATCH charity case goes to the High Court of Australia 

2.   EVENT: Film Night - Defending Melanesian Land  
3.   NEW: People and Planet: Social Justice and Environment Diary 2010 

4.   EVENT: Ten years since the WTO in Seattle - when people demanded fair trade (AFTINET Fundraiser) 

5.   EVENT: GLW Fundraising fiesta with Rod Quantock 

6.   EVENT: Walking Together

7.   Donate to AID/WATCH

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1.   UPDATE: AID/WATCH charity case goes to the High Court of Australia 

On 20 October, AID/WATCH lodged an application to the High Court of Australia to reclaim its charitable status.

Last month the Full Federal Court confirmed that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) could remove AID/WATCH's charitable status on the grounds that AID/WATCH tries to influence the administration of Australian Government overseas aid programs. AID/WATCH is now seeking Special Leave to Appeal to the High Court to overturn the Federal Court judgement. 

The Full Federal Court's ruling has implications for the charitable sector as a whole. This case threatens the ability for charities to speak out fearlessly on political issues. 

We will keep you updated and thanks to AID/WATCH members for your ongoing support.

For more information, links to media on the case and ongoing updates, please see: http://aidwatch.org.au/publications/aidwatch-charitable-tax-status-case 

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2. EVENT: Defending Melanesian Land  
Join AID/WATCH for an evening of film, photos and discussions about the importance of customary land in Melanesia. 

'Defending Melanesian Land' is a short video in which Melanesian activists explain why indigenous land is important to people in the Pacific, and why they have formed a regional alliance (the Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance - MILDA) to defend indigenous Melanesian land.

When:             Wednesday 4 November, 6.30pm

Where:            Amnesty International Australia

NSW Action Centre

79 Myrtle Street

Chippendale, NSW 2008

For more information contact Gary at AID/WATCH on 

(02) 9557 8994 or email gary at aidwatch.org.au

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3.    New: People and Planet: Social Justice and Environment Diary 2010

People & Planet: Social Justice & Environment Diary 2010 features 55 exceptional photos of people and places around the world, accompanied by short, fascinating stories about social and environmental issues.

People & Planet is published by a partnership of 40 Australian social justice and environment organisations, and raises funds for the work of these organisations in promoting a just, sustainable world.

People & Planet is perfect for use as a daily diary, but also makes a great gift for Christmas.

Diaries cost $19.95 each plus $5 for postage and handling

To order your copy contact Ozzie at AID/WATCH on 

(02) 9557 8944 or email ozzie at aidwatch.org.au

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4.    EVENT: Ten years since the WTO in Seattle - when people demanded fair trade (AFTINET Fundraiser)

Delicious vegetarian food, images of Seattle, raffle prizes include DVD of the feature film Battle in Seattle. Drinks at bar.

Speakers include: Anna Reynolds, advisor to Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown, recalls her experience of Seattle as an environment activist; and Dr Patricia Ranald, Co-Convener of the Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network:  the WTO today and what we can do for fair trade now.

When:             Thursday, 12 November, 6pm 

Where:            Sydney Mechanics School of Arts

                        Level 1, 290 Pitt St, Sydney

Price:               $20

For more information see: www.aftinet.org.au or call (02) 9212 7242

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5.            EVENT: GLW Fundraising fiesta with Rod Quantock

Comedian Rod Quantok performs live a unique version of his show "bugger the polar bears, this is serious". Delicious Tamil curries.

When:             Saturday 31 October, 6pm 

Where:            Addison Rd Community Centre

                        142 Addison Rd, Marrickville

Price:               $35/20 ($50 solidarity)

For bookings call (02) 9690 or 0439 694 505 

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6.   EVENT: Walking Together

"Walking Together" will showcase women's creative responses to a range of issues they tackle in their every day lives. The event will also celebrate the official launch of Lilla: International Women's Network, which was established to connect women at the grassroots working for social justice. Guest speakers include Lillian Holt and Paula Abood.

When:              Sunday 8 November 2009, 4pm 

Where:            Mori Gallery 

                        168 Day Street, Sydney                      

For more information email info at lilla.org.au; www.lilla.org.au 

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7.    Donate to AID/WATCH

AID/WATCH is a community-based organisation and does not accept government or corporate funding. We need your help to continue our work as the independent monitor of Australia's aid and trade and to improve the effects of development on the planet and its people. Only through being financially self-sufficient can we have the freedom to criticise or applaud with objectivity. Together with you we can achieve change without compromise.

Click this link to give to AID/WATCH today: http://www.aidwatch.org.au/donate

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Administrivia: 

To plug your grassroots event, please email info at aidwatch.org.au 

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AID/WATCH

19 Eve St., Erskineville, 

NSW, 2043, Australia

Ph:       +61 2 95578944

Fax:      +61 2 95579822

www.aidwatch.org.au

info at aidwatch.org.au

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