RSPCA Qld chief executive Darren Maier resigns after scandal-plagued tenure

The chief executive of RSPCA Qld has resigned after a spate of controversies including hefty executive bonuses, staff complaints and conflict of interest allegations throughout his five years.

RSPCA’s CEO Darren Maier has announced his resignation this week. Picture: Annette Dew

RSPCA Queensland is looking for a new boss after the resignation of its trouble-plagued chief executive officer.

The peak animal welfare group’s CEO, Darren Maier, announced his resignation this week following an-times tumultuous five years in the job.

During his tenure, the RSPCA was rocked by controversies including hefty executive bonuses, a whistleblower probe into conflict of interest allegations and complaints from current and former staff that the $50m organisation had lost its way in protecting animals.

Former executives George Costi and Nick Crethar filed an unfair dismissal case in the Federal Circuit Court in 2022 alleging they were sacked after blowing the whistle on “maladministration, misconduct and corruption” in the organisation.

The RSPCA dismissed the allegations as “unfounded” and vowed to defend the action.

The case was due to go to hearing late last year but was discontinued after the RSPCA hired top barristers to defend the allegations.

Former RSPCA Qld CEO Darren Maier.

The Courier-Mail revealed Mr Maier was hired on a $330,000-plus salary plus perks in 2019 despite ‘cashflow difficulties’ at the RSPCA, and was later paid $170,000 in bonuses a time when the organisation was receiving JobKeeper payments.

Two people know to Mr Maier who were hired for senior roles – including his son’s basketball coach – were also paid bonuses before leaving in 2021, documents revealed.

An independent whistleblower investigation found the appointments were in breach of the RSPCA’s conflict of interest policies, but Mr Maier said there was ‘complete transparency’ in the recruitment process and ‘nothing untoward’.

A petition calling for a government inquiry and shake-up of the RSPCA leadership attracted hundreds of signatures.

RSPCA lawyer Carly Bain and life member and former board director Lynne Keen met with Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner earlier this year to discuss grievances.

A formal complaint alleging issues including excessive euthanisations of animals, high staff turnover and a “toxic” workplace culture was referred by Mr Furner’s department to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

The RSPCA met with Agricultural Minister Mark Furner. Picture: Liam Kidston

It found they did not amount to corrupt conduct but were “important and significant issues that should be raised with the RSPCA”.

In a letter to staff this week, Mr Maier said he was resigning “with mixed emotions” to take up an executive role in another sector.

“I am incredibly proud of what we all have collectively achieved over the last five years,” he wrote.

“Together, we have moved from the organisation that responded to the huge number of animal needs that came our way, and have transformed into an organisation that proactively seeks to address the root cause of why animals need us in the first place.

“We have put our people back at the centre of our organisation, understanding that the animal impact we achieve is only as a result of the incredible efforts of you.”

Mr Maier said the RSPCA had a “strong strategy” leading into 2030 to take the organisation “to new heights”.

“I truly believe the future is bright and more importantly, the opportunity for you all to continue to make a massive impact for our animals is there to be had.

“However, having celebrated my five-year anniversary on Tuesday, the time is right to tackle the next opportunity and put more focus back in on my family.

“I am excited about the future, but also sad to leave the good work and the many wonderful people of the RSPCA behind.”

Originally published as RSPCA Qld chief executive Darren Maier resigns after scandal-plagued tenure