5 December 2023 meeting of the Blueprint Expert Reference Group - communique

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group met virtually on Tuesday 5 December 2023. 

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group was delighted that David Spriggs, Emeline Gaske, Tim Liu, Libby Ward-Christie and Sam Rosevear joined the December meeting to begin the next phase of the not-for-profit Sector Development Blueprint project. The five guests are in a group of nine sector and content experts who have agreed to be Engagement Allies and contribute their expertise to the development of the Not-for-Profit Blueprint. Further discussions will be held with Engagement Allies in early 2024 to continue exploring qualities and actions for the Blueprint. 

Krystian Seibert, Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission provided an overview of ‘Future foundations for giving’, the draft report(Opens in a new tab/window) from the inquiry into philanthropy. The draft report sets out the Commission’s draft findings and recommendations relating to motivations for philanthropic giving in Australia and opportunities to grow it further. Submissions on the draft report can be made until 9 February 2024. The conversation among attendees built a solid understanding of the draft Productivity Commission recommendations. The Productivity Commission and the Blueprint Expert Reference Group will continue to work closely as both pieces of work progress in 2024. 

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group and Engagement Allies then shifted to the vision for the Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint. The conversations were robust and productive. The Engagement Allies’ insights and perspectives on framing the Blueprint content was valuable at this early stage of the Blueprint Expert Reference Group’s consideration of key options and possible solutions for a thriving sector over the next decade. 

There is still the opportunity to provide feedback on the Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint Issues Paper. Public submissions can be made until 20 December 2023 on DSS Engage(Opens in a new tab/window). 

Blueprint Expert Reference Group members hosted 3 virtual forums to discuss key qualities and priority actions to consider in the development of the Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint. The fora have been well attended and conversations very productive. 

Email BERGSecretariat@dss.gov.au to contact the Blueprint Expert Reference Group Secretariat for more information.

The next Blueprint Expert Reference Group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 6 February 2024.