Family First charity decision should apply evenly to all lobby groups

Stuff reports:

Controversial group Family First has been stripped of its charitable status “because it does not advance exclusively charitable purposes”. 

But the group is not going down without a fight, saying it will argue the decision in the High Court. 

The decision by the Charities Registration Board was made public on Monday. It is the second time the board has tried to deregister the group. 

As I have said many times before I think far too many lobby groups have charitable status. I dont regard Family First as a charity, but neither do I regard Greenpeace as one. They are both primarily lobby groups. So while I agree with the decision on Family First I expect to see it also applied to Greenpeace and other lobby groups.

Nothing wrong with being a lobby group. But you should not expect charitable tax status for your work.