TWO Tasmanian Labor figures tried to politically interfere in the running of the RSPCA, according to sworn evidence examined by the state’s anti-corruption watchdog but denied by both men.
Former Labor MP Graeme Sturges is alleged to have threatened the RSPCA in March 2012 with a loss of funding if it did not reinstate his son Ben as chief executive after alleged aggressive workplace behaviour.
In a statutory declaration referred to the Integrity Commission by a parliamentary com-mittee, RSPCA Tasmania vice-president Angela Ayling says: “Mr Sturges said to the effect that the RSPCA should be ‘very careful’ about suspending his son.
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Ms Ayling also makes allegations against former deputy premier and now Opposition Leader Bryan Green. They were referred by state parliament’s public accounts committee to the Integrity Commission last November. After reviewing them, the IC provided advice to the committee in February. The accounts committee declined this week to reveal that advice because it has not been reconstituted since the March election. The IC refused to comment further.
