Well put Andrew - more accountability to assure donors their contributions are going directly to where it is needed.

We stopped giving to one overseas aid organisation for two reasons, firstly because the aid served to prop up a dishonest government and class system much of the money being directed to greasing palms first then aid second; and any group that has at its heart a religious agenda over a charitable one goes to the bottom of the list.

It is not that religion and charity cannot go hand in hand but that it is done with an agenda other than a purely altruistic desire to help and with little respect for local customs and beliefs.

Certainly we would all be better off knowing just what percentage of money goes to salaries/admin and 'governance' issues and the amount directly to aid.

We (family) would like it to go beyond just financial reporting as 'accountability' and see some real measures of results obtained. Lack of performance measures is a red flag for poor management for any medium to large organisation anyhow.

We continue to support this international charity,
http://www.msf.org.au/

We are tending to direct our donations and time into local charities where the audit trail is obvious and usually you can actually see the results. Churches are well placed to identify and advise what needs exist in a particular area and it is surprising how many individuals and families are in desperate circumstances, not only through poverty either.

There are some national charities that we support through membership of volunteer organisations. However in meetings members are increasingly questioning the virtue of shovelling more money into charities that already have popular support. With the greatest respect, there are enough pink ribbons.

As far as our withdrawn support is concerned, the biggest loser over recent years has been a national animal welfare organisation that appears to have lost its previous direction, possibly as a result of infiltration of animal rights/liberation activists. In 2010 we finally extinguished our support for it, to give the money to the volunteer marine rescue instead.

I don't believe that the charities will become more accountable without a government regulator (as in the UK).

The big international charities usually have their head offices in Switzerland where they can be free from tax and audit requirements. There is no way of assessing their real income and their real expenses.

In their 'branch' countries, there may be some form of audit, but believe me, they lack no talent when it comes to creative accounting.

Many sins can be hidden under the headings of education, administration, project expenses and the like.

Have you ever asked yourself why their "causes" always seems to need more and more money?