RSL National President steps down
The President of registered charity The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL National), Mr Robert Dick, resigned at the charity's board meeting on Thursday 19 July.
Mr Dick's final day as President and Chair of the RSL National Board was Thursday 19 July.
The announcement comes amid the ACNC’s investigation into RSL National, which was confirmed by the ACNC Commissioner, the Hon Dr Gary Johns, in February this year.
Mr Dick’s decision to resign from RSL National puts the interests of the charity and the RSL first. His decision acknowledges the need for new leadership to build cohesion at the board level, and implement the significant change agenda ahead.
In February the ACNC issued a formal Direction to RSL National, requiring it to engage a governance expert to conduct a review of the charity’s board and its governance practices. In accordance with the Direction, RSL National engaged KPMG to carry out this body of work, which is almost complete.
The work conducted by KPMG will set out a detailed Action Plan that RSL National must follow to improve its governance. The plan is expected to be finalised by the end of this month.
Following Mr Dick’s resignation, the ACNC will continue to work closely with the board of RSL National to ensure it has the governance expertise required to implement the Action Plan.
The ACNC Commissioner, the Hon Dr Gary Johns, confirmed that the ACNC will continue to work with RSL National.
“Both the RSL National Board and the ACNC are committed to working together to improve the governance and accountability of the charity,” Dr Johns said.
“The governance improvement Action Plan resulting from the KPMG review will contain a clear set of recommendations to address current, critical governance issues and the need for a broader, more strategic process of reform and improvement.
“RSL National will soon have a clear path forward and know what steps it must take to get back on track. The ACNC will continue to work closely with the charity and monitor progress.”
Mr John King, President of RSL ACT, will fulfil the role of RSL National Chair until new appointments are made.
“RSL National is committed to improving its governance and accountability, in order to fulfil our important role as the peak body of RSL in Australia,” said Mr King.
“We will soon appoint a new Chair and Board members, and we will announce these appointments in due course.
“Over the coming months the Board, including newly appointed board members, will focus on implementing the recommendations in the Action Plan.”
Once governance and compliance is improved, a new RSL National President can be elected by RSL members.
Taken from Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Media Release 20 July 2018
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