RSL president Rod White agrees to stand down amid claims of receiving and failing to disclose payments
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National RSL president Rod White has agreed to stand down amid claims he shared in millions of dollars worth of consultancy fees.
Key points:
- NSW branch is told senior figures may have broken the law receiving and failing to disclose large payments
- Amount of consultancy fees paid to the Lifecare directors totalled more than $2 million since 2007
- Two more councillors asked to stand down, another resigns
The ABC revealed last month that Mr White was one of several current and former members of the league's NSW State Council who received payments from RSL LifeCare, an aged care charity within the organisation.
RSL NSW has received legal advice the men may have broken the law, in receiving and failing to disclose the payments.
New documents obtained by the ABC reveal that the amount of consultancy fees paid to the LifeCare directors is far greater than originally thought — totalling more than $2 million since 2007.
Robert Dick, acting national president of the RSL, said he had spoken to Mr White last Thursday.
"And he indicated to me that he is going to stand aside pending the results of the investigation," he said.
While Mr White has yet to formally step aside, Mr Dick said he was confident it would happen.
"He is sending me a formal letter, but I take the man at his word when he said he would stand aside as of last Thursday and I am filling the role in the interim," Mr Dick said.
Financial statements seen by the ABC revealed the directors of the charity agreed to pay themselves yearly fees.
And a number of the directors were also officer holders at RSL NSW at the same time — including Mr White, who went on to become the RSL National President.
Since the payments were revealed more than a month ago, Mr White has faced calls to stand aside while the matter was investigated.
Mr Dick has commended Mr White for agreeing to do so.
"It shows good governance on Mr White's part that he's accepted and he is stepping aside," Mr Dick said.
"And we will work with all the relevant parties to make sure that everything is fair and equitable to all parties."
'I'm floored they would think they were entitled to any money'
Mr White was not the only senior figure in RSL NSW receiving the payments.
Bob Crosthwaite and Bill Humphreys both remain as councillors. Another, Don Rowe, has since resigned.
The ABC can reveal the current treasurer of RSL NSW, Bill Hardman, also received payments.
In a statement, Mr Hardman said the payments were lawful and has declined to comment further.
The other directors have also denied any wrongdoing
RSL NSW State Council will meet today in the wake of the revelations.
RSL NSW president John Haines said the state council had asked the two remaining councillors, Mr Crosthwaite and Mr Humphreys to stand down voluntarily.
Today it will come to a vote.
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens sadly, but I'm sure that's what our membership would like to see," Mr Haines said.
Mr Haines said the extent of the payments had taken him by surprise.
"Obviously I'm floored, the fact that they were elected, or nominated by the NSW RSL in good faith to look after the interests of veterans, particularly some of the young ones and the homeless veterans, and the older veterans," he said.
"I'm floored they would even think that they were entitled to any money, any funds at all."
RSL members 'are not happy'
Mr Haines said RSL members were angry.
"I'm very upset, I'm upset for the members," Mr Haines said.
"Sub branch members who donate, members who donate money to RSL LifeCare for the veterans, for the older veterans, irrespective of what they say, it goes to the bottom line.
"I've got to then go answer to our sub branches, our sub branch members at meetings at district council meetings as to why this happened, and I just don't know how I'm going to do that."
Legal advice provided last month to RSL NSW by the firm Henry Davis York states it was possible the law may have been broken when the men received and failed to declare the payments.
A full independent investigation is expected to make a report within weeks.
RSL LifeCare said the fees were paid to the men in their capacity as consultants, and not directors.
