Civil Voices: Research That Uncovered the Quieting of Australia's Civil Sector (2017-2018)
In a thriving democracy, the freedom for civil society to speak out, challenge power, and shape public policy is not just important — it’s essential. Yet in recent years, many Australian charities and not-for-profit organisations have expressed growing concern about their ability to do just that. Civil Voices was created to investigate those concerns, and to build a robust, evidence-based understanding of the health of civil society advocacy in Australia today.
This nationwide research initiative was commissioned by Pro Bono Australia (initiated by Karen Mahab), in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre — one of Australia’s leading legal advocacy organisations — and researchers from the University of Melbourne, a globally ranked institution renowned for its scholarship in political science and democratic governance.
Together, these partners brought the academic rigour, sector insight, and legal expertise needed to ensure the study was both credible and influential..
“Our organisation has not been targeted for being critical of government because our areas of interest are not currently as controversial as some other policy areas. But we observe other charities/sectors being targeted for being outspoken and holding government to account.”
A Research-Led Response to a Shrinking Civic Space
The Civil Voices project builds on the landmark 2004 report Silencing Dissent by The Australia Institute, which had exposed how governments at the time were undermining the credibility, defunding, and excluding NGOs that challenged official policy. That study warned of a dangerous shift: from democratic engagement to managed compliance.
Thirteen years later, Pro Bono Australia and its partners asked a critical question: had things changed? With the establishment of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the passage of the Charities Act, and the rise of digital advocacy, had the space for civil voices widened — or narrowed?
The Civil Voices national survey, launched in August 2017, set out to find the answer. It received 1,462 responses from organisations across the country — a third of them CEOs — making it one of the most comprehensive sector-wide studies of its kind.
Key Findings: A Climate of Caution
What the data revealed was both sobering and urgent.
Despite the legal frameworks in place to protect charitable advocacy, many organisations reported “self-silencing” — a growing reluctance to publicly engage in advocacy for fear of losing funding or facing political backlash. This trend was especially pronounced in sectors considered politically sensitive.
“Our organisation has not been targeted for being critical of government because our areas of interest are not currently as controversial as some other policy areas. But we observe other charities/sectors being targeted for being outspoken and holding government to account.”
Dr Andrea Carson, political communication expert and lead researcher from the University of Melbourne, explained:
“In 2004 we learned of serious factors affecting Australia’s non-government organisations’ freedom of expression and public voice. Thirteen years later, the Civil Voices study helps us understand whether things have improved — and where Australia fits into the global picture of democratic freedoms.”
The research confirmed that Australia’s civic space is under quiet but real pressure. Advocacy — especially by charities — is being chilled not by overt censorship, but by subtle constraints, such as funding dependencies, political intimidation, and increasing regulatory uncertainty.
Research-Driven Insights That Matter
The Civil Voices project was more than a survey — it was a data-driven mapping of a core pillar of Australian democracy. Its value lies not only in what it revealed, but in how it can be used — by civil society, by policymakers, by academics, and by the media — to defend and strengthen advocacy rights.
What made the project uniquely credible and effective:
Trusted partners: Pro Bono Australia (the country’s preeminent social sector media and research platform), the Human Rights Law Centre (known for advancing civil liberties), and the University of Melbourne (ranked among the world’s top universities) combined their strengths to design and deliver the study.
Comprehensive participation: Over 1,400 organisations contributed their experiences, offering an unparalleled look at the sector’s voice and confidence in advocacy.
Sector impact: The results were widely disseminated — featured in The Conversation, Pro Bono News, academic journals, and media outlets — helping to elevate the issue on the national agenda.
Global relevance: The research placed Australia’s experience within a broader international context of declining democratic freedoms and civic space.
As David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council for Australia, said:
“Charities play a critical role in voicing the concerns of their communities. To better understand and support that voice, we need real data — and that’s exactly what Civil Voices provides.”
The Stakes for Democracy
Civil Voices showed that when the space for civil advocacy shrinks, democracy suffers. When advocacy is silenced, especially from those working closest with marginalised or underrepresented communities, our policies become less inclusive, less fair, and less effective.
“The more the silencing of civil society is normalised, the higher the risk becomes to the overall quality of Australian democracy.”
The findings from Civil Voices must serve as both a warning and a call to action. Advocacy is not a threat to government — it is a function of democracy. Supporting the capacity of charities to speak freely and fearlessly is vital to ensuring accountability, equity, and progress.
Conclusion: Research That Informs, Protects, and Strengthens Civil Society
Civil Voices was a landmark study, offering hard evidence of a softening democracy. It stands as a research-driven resource for anyone seeking to understand, protect, and amplify the vital role that not-for-profits and charities play in public life.
Backed by sector leaders, legal experts, and world-class researchers, Civil Voices continues to remind us: advocacy is not optional — it’s foundational.
