The public inquiry into the NSW RSL’s aged care branch has heard the directors, who voted in favour of paying themselves consultancy fees, didn’t work the hours to justify the payments.
“They probably do not spend the time to justify the remuneration. There is a need to be creative and hence how it has been done to date,” chief executive officer Ron Thompson stated in an email submitted as evidence.
It follows revelations by former NSW RSL president and LifeCare director Don Rowe that he had used the charity’s cash to pay for his mortgage, family phone bills, flights, meals and hotel accommodation.
According to Mr Rowe, the consultancy fees started at $18,000 per year in 2007 and ranged from around $35,000 to $57,000 a year each by June 2016 – all approved by the directors themselves.
