Aerospace Maritime Defence Australia (AMDA) is the agency that organises massive weapons expos like Land Forces on this continent. AMDA currently has charity status. Outraged? Here’s a step by step guide to taking AMDA’s charity status away.
HOW TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ABOUT AMDA’S “CHARITY” STATUS TO THE AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES AND NON PROFITS COMMISSION
Step 1
You can raise a concern about a registered charity by completing an online form.
https://public-forms.acnc.gov.au/form/5ad817c1a71dbe77e8fc3790
Step 2
Copy AMDA’s ABN into the form: 63091147787
Step 3
Choose ‘yes’ and enter your personal info or choose ‘no’ and skip to next step.
Step 4
Select the reasons AMDA should not have charity status:
Step 5
Write a few sentences explaining why an organisation that runs weapons sales events like Land Forces should not have charity status. Feel free to copy/paste the text below into the form. There is a longer version or a shorter version to choose from.
- Longer version
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the charitable status of AMDA Foundation Limited, an organisation currently registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act. Based on publicly available information and AMDA’s own descriptions of its activities, it appears that the organisation operates primarily as an industry networking and lobbying body for the defence sector, rather than serving a genuine charitable purpose.
AMDA Foundation Limited states that its mission is to promote the development of Australian industrial, manufacturing, and technology resources, particularly in aviation, aerospace, maritime, defence, security, and space. However, a review of its core activities reveals that AMDA functions as a facilitator for large-scale industry expos that overwhelmingly serve private, for-profit defence contractors. The promotion of commercial weapons manufacturers and defence corporations does not align with a charitable purpose as defined by the ACNC.
Key concerns include:
- Industry Promotion Over Public Benefit – AMDA’s primary function appears to be organising major defence industry expositions, which are platforms for private weapons corporations to promote and sell their products. These events are fundamentally commercial and profit-driven in nature, rather than serving the broader public interest.
- Lobbying and Industry Networking – The organisation’s role in fostering engagement between private defence contractors, government bodies, and the Australian Defence Force suggests that it operates as a networking and lobbying facilitator rather than a charity delivering a measurable public benefit.
- Misalignment with Charitable Purposes – The ACNC defines charitable purposes under categories such as advancing education, relieving poverty, or promoting public welfare. AMDA’s focus on defence industry development does not fit within these categories. Instead, it serves to strengthen private sector profits in the arms and defence industries.
- Political and Government Influence – AMDA works in close collaboration with multiple government departments, including Defence, Industry, and Foreign Affairs and Trade, raising concerns about undue influence and a lack of independence. While it claims to be politically neutral, its facilitation of defence expos inherently supports the financial interests of private military contractors.
- Ethical and Social Considerations – The weapons and defence industry has significant ethical implications, particularly regarding international arms sales, conflict, and militarisation. The promotion of such industries under the guise of a charitable foundation raises serious questions about whether AMDA should continue to receive the financial and legal benefits associated with charitable status.
Given these concerns, I urge the ACNC to conduct a thorough review of AMDA Foundation Limited’s registration as a charity. If the organisation is found to be primarily serving the commercial interests of defence corporations rather than delivering a clear public benefit, its charitable status should be reconsidered and revoked.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to any further action the ACNC may take regarding this complaint.
- Shorter version
I am writing to formally request a review of the charitable status of AMDA Foundation Limited. Despite its registration as a charity, AMDA primarily operates as an industry networking and lobbying body for the defence sector, promoting private weapons corporations through large-scale expos.
Key concerns include:
- Industry Promotion Over Public Benefit – AMDA’s events serve the commercial interests of private defence contractors rather than the public.
- Lobbying and Government Influence – AMDA facilitates networking between defence companies and government, acting as a lobbying body rather than a charity.
- Misalignment with Charitable Purposes – Promoting the arms industry does not align with ACNC’s categories of charitable activities.
Given these concerns, I urge the ACNC to reassess AMDA’s charitable status and take appropriate action. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Step 6
Submit your complaint. Let’s get this shill for war profiteers deregistered!
