Australia will get its first minister for charities if Labor wins the May 18 federal election, the party has pledged.

Labor spokesman for charities and not-for-profits Andrew Leigh says a Shorten government would amend the Charities Act and formally recognise the benefits of advocacy by charities.

Labor would also set up a not-for-profit sector expert reference panel to develop a plan to strengthen the sector in cooperation with Treasury, business and key sector stakeholders.

“We will fix fundraising by immediately starting work on harmonising Australia’s fundraising laws,” Leigh said in a statement on Wednesday.

With AAP.