A NSW upper house inquiry has supported calls to change the rules surrounding NSW Rural Fire Service fundraising after millions raised by comedian Celeste Barber were not allowed to be given to its intended cause.
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The inquiry's report, issued on Friday, suggested the establishment of a RFS Volunteers benevolent fund to be administered through the RFS, the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association and the RFS Association.
The committee also recommended the NSW RFS and Brigades Donations Trust allocate an initial start-up budget for the benevolent fund from the still-unallocated funds generated by Barber.
The NSW Supreme Court in May ruled the $51.3 million raised by Barber through a Facebook charity drive - with the NSW RFS as her nominated beneficiary - could not be redirected to interstate charities or bushfire-affected communities.
This was Barber's original intention and the presumed motivation of her donors.
However, the money could be used to support injured firefighters and the families of those who lost their lives while fighting blazes over NSW's unprecedented fire season in 2019-20.
Committee chair Robert Borsak said the group wished to see the majority of the money allocated to causes it was originally intended for.
"Millions of people from around the world generously donated to Ms Barber's fund to help those individuals and communities in need," Mr Borsak said in the report.
"I support the intentions of Ms Barber and not the legalistic interpretation of the Trust's deed."
Mr Borsak said the trustees have the ability to establish or contribute to a fund to support injured rural firefighters or the families of rural firefighters killed while firefighting.
This would be the purpose of the benevolent fund.
"It seems that the trustees have not yet allocated any funds from Ms Barber's appeal for this cause and it is not clear if they are intending to do so. The funds are not available to accommodate the NSW RFS wish list," Mr Borsak said.
The committee also recommended the NSW Legislative Council continue to debate the bill to ensure Barber's funds can be directed to individuals, communities and injured wildlife.
"It is crucial that this occurs, especially when many people impacted by the bushfires are still living in tents in the middle of winter with no support," Mr Borzak said.
Greens MP David Shoebridge said on Friday he would bring the bill before NSW parliament for a vote next week.
Australian Associated Press
