Changes to the Voluntary Organisations Act would make life more difficult for NGOs, education minister Evarist Bartolo acknowledged on Monday, but would ultimately be in the organisations’ own interests.
The minister was speaking as Parliament opened the debate on the 200-plus pages of amendments to the 2007 law, intended to close loopholes which made organisations vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing.
The amendments also include new proposals on religious and political organisations while clarifying terminology and reflecting principles adopted in Court judgements, and aim to prevent NGOs from being used for ulterior motives.Introducing the amendments, which he said had been a long time coming, Mr Bartolo acknowledged the difficulties NGOs may face, noting that the changes included good governance requirements that even large banks found hard to implement, but added that organisations would ultimately benefit from adherence to the requirements.
READ: Last minute revisions to NGO law hidden from commissioner
Dr Bartolo emphasised that it was the government’s duty to assist voluntary organisations to accomplish their goals, through funding and other assistance,…
