Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Aussie bushfire update

  1. #1

    Default Aussie bushfire update

    Well most fires are now contained or doused thanks to a couple of weeks of constant rain and the valiant efforts of fire fighters.

    As expected many regions are now flooded but nothing they haven't had to deal with before.
    Some of the drought stricken regions have had slight relief but not all areas.

    Now for the really bad news.
    Millions of dollars pledged hasn't been received but what makes things worse is the legal tie that prevents the Royal Fire Service to donate or distribute funds to the fire victims.
    Apparently, by law, all funds received by the RFS has to be spent on fire fighting equipment and training and NOT on families or charities.
    "As it stands the RFS is the beneficiary. We can't donate money people gave us to other charities".

    Australian comedian, Celeste Barber raised over 52 million that now sits in limbo. The RFS want to honor her wishes by donating it all to those who lost their homes, etc but can't.
    Now they have hired lawyers to get this passed.

    The Red Cross appeal has been under scrutiny about millions unaccounted for from it's funds received while the Salvation Army have been completely transparent from the start. They have released statements showing all details of pledges, funds received and where it's been distributed to.

    On a side note.
    I often wonder about celebrity pledges. Are they publicity stunts to gain popularity that are never followed through? Are they even real pledges made by the celebrity and not falsely made by someone else?
    The source of these alleged pledges should be thoroughly investigated before spread by social media.
    Last edited by AccadaccA; February 15th, 2020 at 04:54 PM.

  2. #2

    Default

    Why can't the money be distributed to the families who lost their homes btw?

  3. #3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mcclaskey View Post
    Why can't the money be distributed to the families who lost their homes btw?
    Apparently it's some legal bind because the RFS is the beneficiary.
    It's stupid, I know. Many Aussies are furious about it.
    I guess when they included that clause in the RFS rules they were thinking to have something in writing to prevent the fire fighters personally gaining from donations.
    So it was written for all donations to be spent on fire equipment, fire house restorations and training facilities.

    The RFS have their legal team fighting to change this law so they can fulfill sponsors' wishes.
    Celeste Barber also has her lawyers working with the RFS legal team on this.
    As far as I know it's only the $52 Million that Celeste raised.
    Other charities knew the rules and laws regarding donations to the RFS and have distributed the money through the correct channels.

    It's unfortunate that common sense escapes the country's alleged smartest people and this law be over-turned immediately.

  4. #4

    Default

    Well of course I asked too much for common sense to prevail. Apparently this case went before the high court today and the ruling remains.
    The Rural Fire Service (Australia) by law cannot forward the donated money raised for bushfire victims to the bushfire victims.
    What sort of a world are we living in?
    This is a RFS ruling, not a federal law so why couldn't they just deal with it in-house?

    Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the "high court" has a panel of no less than three judges, usually an odd number, with majority ruling.
    You might, just might, be able to accept one of them having a brain fart but for the majority to rule and still decline this common sense overturn of a silly old RFS rule / bi-law speaks volumes of our judicial system.

    Why can't they see the big picture and make an over-ruling or at least an exception here?
    I mean politics have all sorts of crap tagged onto or "amended" to new rulings and laws that go under the radar of headlines.
    People are going to stop being kindhearted and generous toward anybody in need, especially after the Red Cross withholding hundreds of millions in donations and now this BS.

    I'm just wondering if it's not too late for Celeste Barber to cancel her cheque of $52 million and go through the proper donation channels to get this money to the actual victims?

    There hasn't been many (if any) times that I was ashamed to be an Aussie. However today is such a day. :/

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •