RSPCA Tasmania’s chairman Scott Whitters has stepped down following calls to quit and the departure of several board members.
One of Australia’s wealthiest women, Kathmandu retail chain founder Jan Cameron, has also withdrawn her support from the RSPCA after problems with her sponsored programs.
She funds animal welfare radical Emma Haswell whose filming of raids has led to convictions, most recently last month against a Woolworths pork supplier who is leaving the industry after 30 years.
It was revealed at an RSPCA general meeting in Launceston on Sunday that Mr Whitters has presided over a $1 million head office salary bill while spending $330,000 on inspectorate work.
He refused to provide salary details of the organisation’s chief executive and other head office staff, including his partner Erica Davidson who works as an education officer.
Mr Whitters said chief executive Greg Tredinnick’s partner had also been an RSPCA employee.
He has rejected criticism about his handling of the organisation’s finances.
