Former RSPCA Queensland executives allege ‘misconduct and corruption in unfair dismissal claims

Two long-serving former RSPCA Queensland executives have alleged they were sacked after blowing the whistle on alleged “misconduct and corruption” at the animal welfare organisation.

Two long-serving former RSPCA Queensland executives have launched explosive unfair dismissal claims against the animal welfare icon, alleging they were sacked after blowing the whistle on alleged ‘maladministration, misconduct and corruption’.

Former RSPCA general manager George Costi and ex-chief financial officer Nick Crethar were dismissed last year amid turmoil at the organisation, including allegations of animal neglect, controversy over tens of thousands of dollars in executive bonuses and a sex scandal which led to a senior official being sacked.

Now, Mr Costi and Mr Crethar have now lodged unfair dismissal claims in the Federal Circuit Court demanding reinstatement and fines.

In claims the RSPCA says it will ‘vigorously defend’, both men allege they were terminated after raising serious concerns about senior management including CEO Darren Maier, in breach of whistleblower laws.

Mr Crethar, who was CFO for 10 years until he lost his job in November, states in his court claim that he was dismissed after he became aware of alleged ‘misconduct, maladministration and corruption in the workplace … perpetrated by the CEO and others’.

Former RSPCA general manager George Costi was dismissed in 2021 amid turmoil at the organisation. Picture: Facebook.

“An inquiry commenced into the allegations made against the CEO, who learned of the CFO’s evidence,” he states in his claim.

“The CEO took a recommendation to the RSPCA board to make (Mr Crethar) redundant.

“Given that the (RSPCA) runs a $50m per annum business, this was not a genuine redundancy.”

Mr Crethar states that he had carried out his duties with ‘passion, commitment and diligence’ and helped deliver the RSPCA an $8 million surplus, putting it in ‘the best financial position of its history’.

He alleges he exercised his workplace right to make a complaint against Mr Maier and was granted whistleblower status, but Mr Maier moved to make him redundant after discovering he was a witness in the investigation.

Mr Crethar’s claim also alleges he was excluded from RSPCA board meetings and removed without notice from his role as company secretary.

Former RSPCA general manager George Costi (left) and ex-chief financial officer Nick Crethar (right) were mad redundant last year. Picture: Facebook

Mr Costi, who was general manager of the RSPCA’s commercial operations for 11 years, alleges he was also dismissed in November after making a whistleblower complaint about alleged misconduct ‘perpetrated by the HR manager and others’.

He states this was despite RSPCA under his management enjoying ‘national recognition for animal care and protection.

“The (RSPCA) made (Mr Costi) redundant after learning he had made a complaint as a whistleblower,” his claim states.

“(Mr Costi) says the commerce and operations of the RSPCA (a $50m per annum business) could not be managed without a general manager and, therefore, this is a non-genuine redundancy.”

A hearing has been set down for June after the Fair Work Commission said it was satisfied that ‘all reasonable attempts to resolve the dispute … have been unsuccessful’.

An RSPCA spokesman said the redundancies of Mr Crethar and Mr Costi and others were ‘genuine’ and part of a strategic review and restructure.

The spokesman said the whistleblower complaints were externally investigated, ‘resulting in no findings of wrongdoing’, and whistleblower identities were not disclosed.

He said while the restructure had been ‘difficult’, it was aimed at helping the RSPCA deliver on its core purpose of improving animal welfare.

“As this matter is before the court, we are not in a position to provide any additional information,” he said.

News Corp Queensland last year lifted the lid on strife engulfing the RSPCA after current and former staff spoke out about their concerns.

RSPCA chair Justine Hickey and CEO Darren Maier. Picture: Annette Dew

Among the revelations was that 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 at a time when the organisation was receiving JobKeeper payments.

Two of Mr Maier’s associates who were hired for senior roles – including his son’s basketball coach – were also paid bonuses before leaving last year, 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 veteran senior staff member who claimed to have raised concerns about issues including animal welfare was sacked after a probe into allegations he had a sexual relationship with a woman who had been under investigation for alleged involvement in dogfighting.

The man admitted to having had sex with the woman in an RSPCA car and ‘explicit’ photos and texts were found on the staffer’s work-issued mobile phone, documents reveal.

RSPCA board members were grilled by disgruntled members, including former judge Michael Byrne QC, at its annual meeting late last year.

Current and former staff, including an RSPCA lawyer, sensationally called on the board and management team to stand aside ‘for the good of the organisation’.

Following the revelations, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called for a ‘thorough review’ into the peak animal welfare body.

RSPCA chair Justine Hickey said the organisation had a ‘a strong and stable board and management team which are delivering strong financial, operation and animal outcomes’ and she would welcome ‘any review’.