[OSGeo Oceania] [Oceania-Board] ASIC Industry Funding Levy - OSGeo Oceania Ltd

[John Bryant]

Hi Ed, responding here because I can't post to the board list, but I can
provide a bit of background that may help.

In March 2019, we did a review of options for forming an entity [1],
comparing the pros & cons of an association vs a company limited by
guarantee, and some other options as well.

The key disadvantage of registering as an incorporated association was that
it meant registering in a single state, which would require that at least
one officer/director live in that state, which felt problematic for an org
that aims to operate internationally.

There were also concerns about whether we could undertake activities
outside Australia as a state-based association, but I believe there are
some organisations similar to OO that operate like this, so it may be
possible.

At the time, I met with someone who was involved in setting up GovHack and
he strongly recommended the CLG model, based on their experience.

Our recommendation was (in part): "A CLG is better suited to our
requirement to operate, and draw membership & leadership from, across
Oceania."

We underestimated the annual filing fee by quite a bit... we hoped that we
could gain Special Purpose Company status, with the intent of reducing
annual fees. We revived the discussion about SPC status in May 2020, when
the annual fee came due, but were advised by Macquarie Accountants that we
wouldn't be eligible.

The question of charitable status also came up at the same time. There was
a suggestion that the Finance Committee could follow up on this but I don't
know if that ever happened.

Anyway, the March 2019 proposal doc is worth a read, it has a fairly
detailed breakdown of the options, based on what we knew at the time.

Cheers
John

[1]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LCoaNY9xACkpE_E1pTn3pGkNV41rqmoK5QkKl2FAfwY



On Tue, 16 Mar 2021 at 12:37, Edoardo Neerhut <eneerhut at gmail.com> wrote:

> That's crazy Greg. Checking Xero and it seems we paid a similar amount
> last year. ~$1,450.
>
> Looking at this very superficially, it looks like an incorporated
> association
> <https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/clubs-and-fundraising/incorporated-associations/fees-and-forms>
> is a far cheaper option. Do any of you recall some of the merits of
> registering as a company limited by guarantee and why this was chosen as
> our preferred model?
>
> On Mon, 15 Mar 2021 at 20:11, Greg Lauer <gregory.lauer at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I think it is time that we review our legal structure. We are now paying
>> $1500/year just in admin fees to ASIC. That is before accounting costs etc.
>>
>> Greg
>>
>> On 3/16/2021 1:02:50 PM, Belinda Hippel <bhippel at macqacc.com.au> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Directors
>>
>>
>>
>> Please find attached the ASIC Industry Funding Levy, which is due for
>> payment on 23rd April 2021.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Belinda Hippel*
>>
>>
>>
>> [image: MA Letterhead_Temp Art 2012-05-30.png][image:
>> xero-certified-advisor-logo-hires-RGB]
>>
>>        Level 2, 18 Elizabeth Street Hobart Tasmania 7000
>>
>>        Postal:          GPO Box 92 Hobart Tasmania 7001
>>
>>        Telephone:   (03) 6224 6400
>>
>>        Facsimile:    (03) 6224 6401
>>
>>        Email:           bhippel at macqacc.com.au
>>
>>        Web:             www.macqacc.com.au
>>
>>        [image: facebook] <http://www.facebook.com/macquarieaccounting>[image:
>> LinkedIn] <http://au.linkedin.com/company/macquarie-accounting-pty-ltd>
>>
>> WARNING - This email and any of its attachments may be confidential. If
>> received in error, please delete immediately and notify Macquarie
>> Accounting by return email.
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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