Like leaders of not-for-profit organisations recently quoted by this newspaper, The Gleaner expects full consultation, and open public discussion, on any new legislation governing their operations.

The bill and-or regulations ought not to be brought to Parliament under the cover of darkness, or slipped between other legislation in the midst of a rancorous debate, and approved before most people realise what has happened. In other words, it must not be like the resolution recently approved by the House of Representatives for application of the General Consumption Tax (GCT) to short-term rental properties.

In that regard, the government should, as a matter of urgency, clearly state what it proposes as the new regulatory framework for non-profits and establish a process of consultations with stakeholders, including individuals and institutions who have a credible interest in the matter.