RSL NSW has denied claims a fundraising ban is costing ex-servicemen in need across the Riverina.
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It comes after Wagga Sub-Branch members said a blanket ban on the sale of Anzac Day badges could this year strip close to $30,000 in donations from the not-for-profit group.
This adds to a loss of close to $28,000 from the cancellation of the Poppy Day campaign sales last Remembrance Day.
It follows an RSL state-body decision to voluntarily suspend fundraising across all Sub-Branches in NSW last year – a move Wagga’s branch leaders last week labelled “disappointing” and “upsetting”.
But the state’s Returned and Services League says it’s hands are tied for the time being, with an public inquiry currently underway into reported breaches of the Fundraising Act across the state.
Wagga’s Sub-Branch president Harry Edmonds on Friday said selling the badges was about more than raising money, especially given this year would be the final year of the World War I centenary.
He said the branch used money it raised to provide financial and support services to a large percentage of its 400 regional members.
He said while the branch was financially secure for now, executives were conscious of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” as they sourced funds to continue operations.
But RSL NSW President James Brown said the service was doing everything in its power to address “significant compliance shortcomings in the League’s recent fundraising efforts”.
“We’re working on an Anzac Day deadline,” Mr Brown said. “But the fix is not a quick one and to a large extent, the situation is out of our hands.”
Mr Brown said the League was awaiting a final decision about the permanency of the fundraising ban next week, with the Public Inquirer expected to report to the Minister of Financial Services and Innovation before February 1.
Regarding the significant losses from fundraising across the city, Mr Brown said Wagga’s Sub-Branch was well equipped to weather the storm, fundraising appeals making up less than 10 per cent of its annual income.
“We are working with members of the sub-branch to ensure its welfare and charitable work would be supported into the future,” Mr Brown said.
“RSL NSW is determined ongoing support not be at risk, for veterans and their families in need.”