Consumer Affairs Victoria

1
Co-operatives
A cooperative is an autonomous association of
persons united voluntarily to meet their common
economic, social, and cultural needs and
aspirations through a jointly owned and
democratically controlled enterprise. Second
Reading Speech Co-operatives Act 1996
2
The Principles

• Seven principles for co-operatives outlined in
  the Act (s.6)
• Voluntary and open membership
• Democratic member control
• Member economic participation
• Autonomy and independence
• Education, training and information
• Co-operation among co-operatives
• Concern for the community

3
The Context

• Registered pursuant to the Co-operatives Act 1996
• Administered by Consumers Affairs Victoria (CAV)
• Two types trading or non-trading
• 751 Co-operative currently registered
• Between 75 and 150 have an interest in housing
  (either by name or purpose)
• Some have housing as a sole purpose, or as one of
  many purposes
• As outlined in the principles, the Act is to
  allow the formation of a legal entity, that
  controls its own activities through a democratic
  process with minimal government interference in
  its activities

4
The Context

• Often very different levels of skills within
  boards of co-operatives
• We operate within an increasingly complex
  economic, social and legislative framework
• Different expectations of members
• Increasing levels of disputes within
  organisations
• Varied reporting requirements for different parts
  of government

5
Tenancy v Membership?

• Uniquely in housing co-operatives, if you lose
  your membership of the co-operative you lose your
  right to housing owned by the co-operative
• So can you be a tenant of the organisation that
  you are a member of?
• Yes
• The Residential Tenancy Act can override the
  desire of the co-operative in relation to the
  continuance of a person within co-operative
  housing

6
Skill yourself

• Know your own rules
• Operate within them
• Deal with complaints promptly and openly
• Learn about the interactions between both pieces
  of legislation
• Use your peak bodies