The new 'public interest'

Un-charities Commission

Bob McCoskrie Blogs: “The [Charities] Commission argues that Family First’s efforts to represent the voice of 80%-plus of families on the anti-smacking law or half of New Zealanders on attempts to redefine marriage, for example, have no ‘public benefit’, and that it is in the ‘public interest’ for Family First to be deregistered.”

The work of Family First is to act as a highly important critique to government policy, advocating on family issues and providing a voice for families that have had injustice inflicted by the government. They are as much a charity as Barnardos [registration CC21844] whose website has a "Speaking Out" section and home page currently pushes for legislative changes to turn schools into restaurants.

It seems the Charities Commission is one of the new weapons to determine what the government deems to have public benefit, and what it doesn't. When the government starts making selective judgements like this, it is no longer "for the people, by the people". The public cannot determine what is in their interest says the government.

Welcome to the Nanny State.

Article: Family First Muzzled ~ McBlog

Related (Leading Edge Blog): Family First not the first, probably not the last ~ The Leading Edge