Early December, the Coalition Government announced in its Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 that it would delay the commencement of the Charities Act 2013 (Cth) (the Act) from 1 January 2014 to 1 September 2014.  However, the Senate ran out of time on the last sitting to debate and vote on the Government’s proposed amendment.  It is unclear whether the Government will attempt to repeal the Act when Parliament resumes in the New Year.  Amendments may be difficult to pass as the Government does not hold the balance of power in the senate.  Consequently, the Act commenced 1 January 2014 as planned.