One year into the Abbott government's first term, and charity workers' assessment of the Coalition is, in many respects, less than charitable.
The survey of more than 1,200 not-for-profit leaders, volunteers and sector managers shows a 34 per cent drop in confidence in the sector.
Half of all respondents predict sector performance will get worse over the next year.
World Vision's Reverend Tim Costello says the outlook is not good.
"Respondents associated with small organisations appear particularly pessimistic. Organisations in the sector are concerned about their own future and even more concerned about the future of the whole sector," he says.
"Religious-based charities see their future 50% more positively than do arts and culture organisations. There's a State variation. Not-for-profits in Queensland feel much more negative about their current performance than do not for profits in Victoria."
Federal government policy, regulation and funding have been identified as having the biggest negative impacts on morale, according to the survey by Pro Bono Australia, Net Balance Research Institute and the Community Council for Australia.
Reverend Costello says the lack of government funding certainty is particularly demoralising.
"Most charities are only getting 6 months' funding and are hurting and have great uncertainty," he says.
"I've been commenting about James Packer who got a licence at Crown Casino till 2050. That'll see James out and me out. 2050, and if there's any change in bet limits recommended by the Productivity Commission, you know, $1-bets to do less damage, the Victorian taxpayer will have to reimburse Crown. That's a special deal. When charities here are uncertain, we start to say, hang on, is everyone being held to the same rules?"
60-per cent of respondents say they're opposed to government moves to abolish the Australian and Charities Not for Profit Commission and transfer regulation of the sector to the Australian Tax Office.
Toby Hall from St Vincent's Health Australia describes the proposed GP co-payment as another blotch on the Abbott government's report card.
"For those on lower incomes, it will cost our society dearly through the incidence of chronic disease which will follow. Our recommendation would be that we could probably accept an increase in that fee for those who can afford to pay, but exemption for those who can't."
But Mr Hall gives top marks to the federal government for assigning Andrew Forrest to the task of reviewing Indigenous jobs and training.
In a move he acknowledges could draw criticism within the sector, Mr Hall is encouraging the Abbott government to review wages and penalty rates.
He's got the backing of Jan Owen from not-for-profit the Foundation for Young Australians.
"The reason that we've got this highly casualised workforce with this high penalty rates, those two things fit together. Whereas in fact if we were able to offer young people secure work, they would absolutely take a lower wage to have a long-term secure job."
Charities are reminding the Abbott government of their economic value - contributing $58 billion to gross domestic product, employ 1.1 million Australians plus volunteers, and hold $175 billion in assets.
They're hoping to take a more charitable view of things in 12 months.
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