RFSA President Brian McKinlay said the change in legislation announced by Assistant Treasurer Senator Nick Sherry, will effectively help over 2.000 NSW rural fire brigades attract donations, thereby supporting the efforts of more than 70,000 rural fire fighters in NSW. “This decision will mean that all brigades will be able to offer tax deductibility for donations received from the community,” Mr McKinlay said.

“This decision fully addresses RFSA’s recent concerns with the Australian Tax Office’s position on DGR for brigades, and will effectively remove any burden on individual brigades to prove their tax status. Currently only a third of rural brigades are able to access tax deductible donations.

“This measure is encouraging and will be very helpful for our many rural fire brigades and their communities. On behalf of the members of RFSA, I offer congratulations to the Federal Government on this commonsense and forward thinking decision. “Further, I would urge the Federal Government to also extend DGR status to volunteer firefighter associations such as ours, so that we are able to better service our members and support them in protecting the lives and property of the people of NSW,” Mr McKinlay said.

The RFSA will keep a close watch on the implementation of these changes at Federal and State level, and provide more information to its members as it comes to hand.