With the 30 June deadline for self-assessing tax exemption only months away, reformed privacy legislation and ever-increasing cyber security obligations, now is the time to take a deep dive into practical and comprehensive updates on legal, regulatory and governance matters affecting the not-for-profit and charitable sector. Secure targeted advice on updating governing documents to meet income-tax exemption requirements ahead of the 30 June 2026 deadline, including reviewing constitutions, objects clauses and compliance with Division 50 of the ITAA 1997. Gain expert guidance on claiming and maintaining state tax exemptions and navigating the requirements for ACNC endorsement. Learn about cybersecurity as a core governance responsibility, and the new mandatory merger control notification scheme helping boards and senior managers understand their obligations in an increasingly digital environment.

Presenters

Catherine Nufer, Special Counsel - Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), Hamilton Locke
Catherine offers experience in a wide range of complex taxation matters including, income tax, capital gains tax, corporate tax, GST and state taxes (stamp duty, payroll tax and land tax) in all Australian jurisdictions. She advises and implements effective structures for transactions and asset ownership, as well as assists clients with structuring and restructuring in a tax effective manner. She also has experience in tax controversy matters (including audits, objections and appeals), with both the ATO and the various state revenue authorities. Catherine also offers significant experience in not-for-profit and charities law, regulations and governance issues and regularly advises companies, incorporated associations, unincorporated associations, charitable trusts and entities established under Letters Patent. Catherine is a Non-Executive Director and the Treasurer of Flipside Circus Ltd, a Brisbane based circus arts charity and is passionate about the challenges facing not-for-profits and charities in Australia. Catherine is able to provide collaborative, practical and commercial solutions for a wide range of clients, including not-for-profits and charities, high-wealth individuals, privately owned companies and large corporations, across of range of industries.

Dan Saunders, Senior Associate, Russell Kennedy
Dan has vast experience in all areas of general commercial, tax and charity law. He has a wide network of not-for-profit (NFP) sector relationships, technical legal, research and analytical skills and vast experience in establishing charities and advising on seeking endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). He has a wealth of knowledge in advising on trusts, corporate restructuring, tax concessions and endorsements, corporate and charity governance, strategy, regulation and complianceDan has a deep understanding of the unique needs and strategic objectives of NFP purpose driven organisations. He has diverse experience gained from working in some of Australia's top charity law firms and has gained valuable, first-hand, charities sector experience by founding his own charity, being on the Board of numerous charities and also by working at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Having previously worked in NFP sector leadership, Dan is a strategic thinker and organisational expert. He guides and advises NFP organisations, charities and philanthropists on all areas of charity establishment, constitutions, tax effective structuring, corporate restructuring, categories and applications for income tax exemption and tax deductibility (DGR). Dan helps NFPs develop best practice strategies for governance and compliance, fundraising and reporting, he can provide expert, insightful and enthusiastic legal representation to charities, NFP and corporate clients.

Lisa Fitzgerald, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
Lisa Fitzgerald is a partner in the Corporate practice at Lander & Rogers and co-head of the firm's Digital Economy practice. In addition to general commercial, corporate and regulatory work, Lisa specialises in technology, media, telecommunications, privacy, cyber security and intellectual property rights. Lisa’s practice covers all aspects of technology, media, telecommunications, data, privacy and intellectual property rights, with a focus on emerging technologies, data services and cyber security. With over two decades of experience as a leading lawyer at top tier firms, Lisa’s experience includes advising established global businesses and scale-ups in multiple sectors ─ from technology to financial services, wholesale and retail markets to the health sector, in Australia and the UK. Lisa's expertise extends to cross-border transactions and global expansion into domestic and international markets, and encompasses regulatory compliance (including the Consumer Data Right, the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme, Part IIIA of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) relating to credit reporting, prudential standards including CPS 234 and the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth)), Australian Consumer Law, corporate governance, directors' duties, product launches (including IoT), intellectual property, wholesale and retail supply. Lisa is a former High Court Associate to the Hon Ken Hayne AC KC, served as Acting Chief Privacy Officer for a major bank, is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Councillor on its Victorian State Council. Lisa also sits on the Media and Communications Committee of the Law Council of Australia and the CEDA Business Dynamism and Competitiveness Member Advisory Committee and has served as a non-executive director for a global software company.

Richard Hundt, Principal Lawyer, Hundt Law
Richard is an experienced lawyer who has provided legal advice to government, private, not-for-profit, and high net worth clients on a wide range of general corporate and commercial matters, along with advice specific to the charities and not-for-profits sector. Richard has been admitted in the High Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Queensland. He is an active member of the Queensland Law Society’s Not-for-profit Law Committee, a member of the Institute of Community Directors, along with a member of the ACNC Professional Adviser Forum.

Elizabeth Wighton, Special Counsel, Gilbert + Tobin
Elizabeth Lathlean is a Special Counsel in Gilbert + Tobin’s Charities + Social Sector practice. Elizabeth specialises in the provision of legal advice and assistance to charities, not-for-profits and social sector organisations. She provides expert assistance on all areas of charity and not-for-profit regulation and compliance, as well as acting in relation to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring transactions and corporate governance. Elizabeth is a non-executive director of CBM Australia, a registered charity and international development organisation. Best Lawyers recognises Elizabeth for her work in the area of Corporate Law.