As I thought, the decision to terminate charity status for Family First is simply because they are perceived, by the government, to be against the government.The Charities Board has made the decision to register the National Council of Women (NCWNZ) as a charity is because it aims to promote the status of women. Yet, Family First promote the status of the family, and get struck off for it.
Both organizations promote research, but the government doesn't agree with research promoted by Family First, and calls it propaganda. In one case, the activity is deemed a charitable purpose, and in another, it is deemed propaganda. I wonder if that means the peer reviewed academic studies they have cited will be rounded up and burned? It would seem to be an appropriate next step.
From the Bob McCroskie blog: In the most bizarre argument, the Board argues that any lobbying or submissions done by the NCWNZ is not ‘political’ but rather ‘a means by which the NCWNZ advances it charitable purposes’ – the complete opposite measure than that which they applied to Family First NZ.
How's that for progressive thinking? Wake up NZ. We are being screwed over.
Link to Family First Website
Updated 10:50am Saturday 11 May to correct links to sources.