Approach the Bench: Charitable Trusts, Greenpeace and Family First w/ Dr Jane Norton; October 14, 2020

On the first installment of Approach the Bench, Bronwyn speaks to Dr Jane Norton from the University of Auckland Law School about charitable trusts. Historically, a group could not qualify as a charity if they had a political purpose as their main objective. However, since the “political purpose doctrine” was removed in 2014, a number of new groups have become elligble to be charities - provided they can prove their work is for a public benefit - a tricky assesment when the group is politically controversial. 

As a result of this, both Greenpeace and Family First suceeded in being granted charitable status earlier this year. It is clear how protecting the environment is a public benefit, but what about Family First who, in campaigning on the importance of the traditional family, hold some harmful views agaisnt abortion, LGBTQ rights and pro-conversion therapy?

Dr Jane Norton discusses whether, in light of these two very different decisions, we should regret the removal of the public purpose doctrine.