Advocacy group director Monica Smit and her organisation, Reignite Democracy Australia Pty Ltd (RDA), have been convicted in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on charges related to running an unregistered fundraiser to pay her legal bills.
The 35-year-old, sole director of RDA, was found guilty of failing to register a fundraiser. RDA was found guilty of the same charge and of failing to provide the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) with documents and information required under the law.
We took legal action against Smit and RDA after they appealed for public donations to fund legal fees to fight separate police charges.
Smit received more than $66,000 in donations between September 2021 and October 2022.
The contested hearing ended today, with the court imposing convictions and two fines totalling $1,500 on RDA.
All organisations conducting fundraising appeals in Victoria must register with CAV, unless they are exempt.