Ms Rhiannon was a co-founder of Aid/Watch and former director. In 1994 she worked with Aid/Watch colleagues to win tax deductibility status for the organisation.
"This case has wide implications for the charitable sector and, if allowed to stand, will stifle political debate," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Treasurer Wayne Swan should fast track legislation to remove the
current uncertainty hanging over non-government organisations with
regard to their fund raising activities.
"I know from my time at Aid/Watch how important charitable tax status is.
"In 1994 the then federal government agreed that Aid/Watch donors
could receive a tax deduction. This raised our level of funding
overnight.
"The Rudd federal government needs to realise that if they fail to
use their legislative power to sort out this problem it will be seen as
an
attempt to penalise its critics and silence dissent.
"The outcome of this court case threatens the ability of many groups
to attract funding and that will put limits on public debate and
political action.
"The Howard government attempted to contain the work of the non-government sector.
"A Labor government should be championing the rights of charities to engage in political activities”, Ms Rhiannon said.
