The Federation is the peak representative body for co-operatives in New South Wales.
A co-operative 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.
The Federation is a member of Co-operatives Australia, the national body for State Co-operative Federations. CA is an unincorporated body, with the other members being the Co-operative Federation of Queensland, the Co-operative Federation of South Australia, Co-operatives WA and Co-operatives Victoria.
In co-operative advocacy Co-operatives Australia is apolitical, does not take sides between Federations and co-operatives and while advocating the co-operative option it does not become involved in detailed industry specific or social issues unless requested by any industry specific members. Regular meetings are held, where matters affecting co-operatives across the country are discussed.
Co-operatives Australia is the publisher of the list of Australia's Top 100 Co-operatives, Credit Unions and Mutuals. The aim is to illustrate the economic and social impact of these mutual businesses, encourage discussion and lead to a recognition of the value of the co-operative option. The global economic crisis has further brought into focus the advantage that co-operatives as a form of enterprise have - they can better weather the storms because of their longer-term view and member-oriented outlook.
In 2009, Co-operatives Australia wrote to the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, supporting the call by the Board of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) to each of the G20 governments, that the G20 examine every option in seeking to overcome the current financial crisis, and asking that they give serious consideration to the advantages of the co-operative model of business.
Co-operatives Australia is releasing policy documents, stating its stand on various issues.
