The protest prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to label those involved as "green-collared criminals". Vegan Rising's campaign director Kristin Leigh said the charity regulator told them shortly after the protest that they were under investigation for failing to meet obligations to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. They were asked to explain how the April 8 protest action furthered the aims of their group, and how "promoting and encouraging radical views furthers Vegan Rising’s charitable purpose and is not encouragement to participate in unlawful activity". The protesters were led away by police. Credit:Zach Hope They were also asked to explain how "campaigning against the animal agriculture industry as a whole is for the public benefit", and told to provide documentation to explain why they did not liaise with police prior to the protest and how they had worked to ensure the safety of those involved.

"They highlighted lots of reasons we believe are excuses," said Ms Leigh. "We were apparently meant to note every planning conversation in the lead up to this action ... any kind of documentation we did of any planning would have shut down the protest in advance before it happened. We had to be careful in communication." "The action was very safe, peaceful and planned out. Safety was communicated and considered in planning." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The group responded to these concerns in a written submission, however Commissioner Dr Gary Johns wrote to the organisation on October 8 outlining the grounds on which the regulator had decided to revoke registration.

"Based on the facts and evidence available to me, I am of the view that the achievement of the charity's purpose in engaging in direct action events to ultimately bring about a vegan society, which excludes all human use of animals, is not for the public benefit due to the level of detriment that would flow from its achievement," he said in a letter obtained by The Age. Dr Johns said that while the goal to ensure animals would no longer be farmed for the production of food or clothing would promote benevolence towards animals, it would be detrimental to the promotion of agriculture. The courts have accepted that agriculture has public benefit, he added. He also said the registration would be revoked because the charity had not complied with governance standards imposed by the regulator and had contravened its operational record keeping obligations. Protesters outside the Melbourne Aquarium in April. Credit:Zach Hope

Ms Leigh said they provided the charities commission with studies showing the ways veganism is beneficial to the public and defended the protest, but this failed to prevent their charity status being revoked. "We are adamant that this decision by the ACNC has been made for two reasons only: to silence dissent from those who are being effective in challenging the status quo, and to protect the institutions who profit from the suffering and destruction of our planet and its vulnerable inhabitants, both human and other animals," she said. "The core reason at the heart of revoking our charity status is the claim that veganism is not in the public benefit. Our evidence challenges this position." The charities commission doesn't publish the findings from their investigations, however Dr Johns said the revocation of the registration is the "most serious action the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission can take". "Our approach to regulation focuses on education and guidance first. However, when charities are unwilling to comply with their obligations, or fail to demonstrate commitment to their governance, then we will take stronger action," he said.

Loading Without its charity registration, Vegan Rising can no longer access Commonwealth charity tax concessions. Charitable status is offered to not-for-profit groups, including religious organisations, homeless shelters, disability service groups, universities, animal welfare groups and artistic groups. The tax classification allows registered organisations to qualify for tax concessions, including allowing donors to claim their contributions as tax-deductible gifts. Vegan Rising was registered as a charity on September 10, 2017, with the purpose of preventing or relieving the suffering of animals.

It raised $12,390 in donations and bequests last year. Ms Leigh said no longer being "bogged down by ACNC paperwork" will give the group more time to spend "doing the work that needs to be done". "We are not surprised and we certainly wont be stopping," she said. There are approximately 56,000 charities registered in Australia, and about 15 are deregistered on average by the regulator each year.