ID :
131891
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 06:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/131891
The shortlink copeid
Bobby Goldsmith foundation investigated
Australia's oldest HIV charity will be investigated by the NSW government over its
financial reporting.
Investigations into the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation will start next week and be
carried out by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR).
An amount of $1.33 million appears in the foundation's 2008/09 financial statements
under the heading of "other expenses" with no other details.
"The review was prompted by complaints about the charity's management of its
financial accounts," the OLGR said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Once the review is completed, OLGR will consider what action, if any, should be
taken."
The foundation was founded in 1984 when champion swimmer Bobby Goldsmith died of
AIDS at the age of 38.
The charity's chief executive Bev Lange on Wednesday confirmed that Andrew Brougham,
from Keeping Our AIDS Industry Accountable, had referred the matter to the OLGR.
He questioned the $1.33 million and then made a formal complaint, she said.
"We'd had requests from that gentleman to provide more information," Ms Lange told AAP.
"We sought to invite him to a meeting to discuss it, he declined, and we decided it
was in the interest of all of our clients to see that information (public)."
Ms Lange later attributed the figure to a number of expenses during an interview
with the HIV charity Positive Life NSW.
The costs ranged from accountancy and legal fees, to office equipment and motor
vehicle expenses, she said, but did not detail the amounts.
The foundation reported revenues of $2.5 million and a pre-tax loss of $783,000 for
the 2008/2009 year.
A blog titled Keeping our AIDS Industry Accountable claims the foundation has become
less efficient.
"Last year only 18 cents in each dollar donated reached clients, this year far less
than that will reach them," it states.
But Ms Lange said the way the foundation reported the $1.33 million figure was
adequate.
"We've been advised by our auditors that that's appropriate, or it's not
inappropriate, I suppose," she said.
The foundation has decided to include more detail in its future annual reports.
financial reporting.
Investigations into the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation will start next week and be
carried out by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR).
An amount of $1.33 million appears in the foundation's 2008/09 financial statements
under the heading of "other expenses" with no other details.
"The review was prompted by complaints about the charity's management of its
financial accounts," the OLGR said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Once the review is completed, OLGR will consider what action, if any, should be
taken."
The foundation was founded in 1984 when champion swimmer Bobby Goldsmith died of
AIDS at the age of 38.
The charity's chief executive Bev Lange on Wednesday confirmed that Andrew Brougham,
from Keeping Our AIDS Industry Accountable, had referred the matter to the OLGR.
He questioned the $1.33 million and then made a formal complaint, she said.
"We'd had requests from that gentleman to provide more information," Ms Lange told AAP.
"We sought to invite him to a meeting to discuss it, he declined, and we decided it
was in the interest of all of our clients to see that information (public)."
Ms Lange later attributed the figure to a number of expenses during an interview
with the HIV charity Positive Life NSW.
The costs ranged from accountancy and legal fees, to office equipment and motor
vehicle expenses, she said, but did not detail the amounts.
The foundation reported revenues of $2.5 million and a pre-tax loss of $783,000 for
the 2008/2009 year.
A blog titled Keeping our AIDS Industry Accountable claims the foundation has become
less efficient.
"Last year only 18 cents in each dollar donated reached clients, this year far less
than that will reach them," it states.
But Ms Lange said the way the foundation reported the $1.33 million figure was
adequate.
"We've been advised by our auditors that that's appropriate, or it's not
inappropriate, I suppose," she said.
The foundation has decided to include more detail in its future annual reports.
