RSL NSW president Michael Bainbridge and directors Paul-Raymond James, Phillip Chin, and Charles New handed in their resignation on Thursday as directors of the RSL NSW board effective immediately.
They jointly tendered their resignations ahead of a joint meeting of the RSL NSW board and district presidents’ council that was due to take place to consider removing Bainbridge and James for serious breaches of the RSL NSW board charter, code of conduct, and conflict of interest policy.
Last year, Bainbridge called for licensed clubs to drop the RSL letters from their names.
“The real RSL – the veteran support not-for-profit – is about care and welfare, and we would like to see our name protected. It’s time for clubs to change the name that they adopted 60 years ago; frankly, it must be returned,” The Sydney Morning Herald first reported Bainbridge saying.
In a separate interview with A Current Affairs, Bainbridge claimed licensed clubs do not provide charitable support to veterans, leading to public confusion.
“There is a lot of confusion in the community about who is the RSL, and I’m certain many people out there probably believe by going to their club they’re supporting their veterans when, in fact, they’re not,” he said.
In 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was established between RSL & SCA, RSL NSW, and ClubsNSW with the intent to “restore the mutual connection between RSL sub-Branches and clubs” to deliver the best outcomes for veterans, their families, and local communities.
Following their resignation, RSL NSW has reaffirmed its commitment to veterans and their families.
“Their decision to resign provides the organisation with an important opportunity to move forward with a renewed sense of unity, focus, and purpose in delivering our mission to support veterans and their families across New South Wales,” the member-based charity said in a statement.
“The RSL NSW Board and management remain committed to ensuring strong, transparent, and effective governance and to upholding the values that have defined the League for more than a century.”
RSL NSW described that it is a “period of consolidation and progress”, citing that it’s experiencing record membership growth and continued collaboration with government and other ex-service organisations.
“The focus of this proud and much-loved institution remains on its members, and the wider Defence and veteran community that RSL NSW serves,” RSL NSW said.