Global Citizen welcomes AAT decision that it is entitled to registration as a Public Benevolent Institution

(Melbourne, AUS | 20 October 2021) - The Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has determined that Global Citizen is a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).

This decision follows Global Citizen's appeal to the AAT of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Commissioner’s (ACNC) rejection of its application to be a PBI in 2019.

The 28 day appeal period since the AAT decision was made on 17 September 2021 has now lapsed and the ACNC did not lodge an appeal.

Global Citizen’s Regional Director for Oceania, Sarah Meredith, welcomed the decision and the ACNC Commissioner’s decision not to appeal it: “We are delighted to see a ruling that recognises that we work for the relief of poverty and the changing modes of philanthropic giving. Donors and supporters today see direct forms of relief and advocacy efforts such as ours as mutually reinforcing – and both as indispensable allies in the broader fight against global poverty," Ms. Meredith said.

“Global Citizen expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Arnold Bloch Leibler (Joey Borensztajn AM, Bridgid Cowling, Jessica Wills), Jennifer Batrouney AM QC and Angela Lee for their leadership and representation of Global Citizen throughout the application process to be a PBI. We could not have achieved this outcome without their generous pro bono support and outstanding knowledge of charity law. We are grateful to the AAT for acknowledging their support in the decision also”, Ms Meredith said.

The decision means Global Citizen can now receive tax deductible donations in Australia.

This is a huge win for our mission and efforts to see a world without extreme poverty and a significant step forward in clarifying the law.

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