ACNC deregisters 'Get Rid of SIDS Project'

The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) has announced its decision to revoke the registration of Queensland charity ‘Get Rid of SIDS Project Inc’, a charity reportedly linked to controversial anti-vaccine lobbyists Stephanie Messenger and Sherri Tenpenny. The charity was established in 2010 and has since sought donations to fund a study into whether toxic gases coming from mattresses cause SIDS.

The ACNC has made the decision in accordance with its power under s 35-10(1)(a) of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 which provides that the ACNC may deregister a charity if at any time after the date of registration, the entity is or was not entitled to registration. The decision to revoke the charity is effective as of 1 April 2015 meaning that the charity will no longer be eligible for deductible gift recipient status and tax concessions from this date onwards. The charity has 60 days to lodge an objection to this decision.

For more information about maintaining your charity’s entitlement to ACNC registration, please contact:

Melanie Twomey
Senior Associate
Harwood Andrews
T: 03 5225 5238
E: mtwomey@harwoodandrews.com.au

Ashleigh Wall
Senior Associate
Harwood Andrews
T: 03 5226 8559
E: awall@harwoodandrews.com.au