The RSL has been forced to cancel its star-studded centenary fundraiser aboard the Navy's flagship vessel as supporters desert the veterans group amid a controversy over payments to senior organisation figures.
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The group, which turns 100 this year, had announced with fanfare a concert aboard HMAS Canberra – the Navy's newest and biggest ship – in Sydney Harbour on December 8 featuring country stars Kasey Chambers and Anne Kirkpatrick and indigenous folk legend Archie Roach.
But in an email to supporters, RSL national chief executive Sam Jackman said revelations by Fairfax Media about the conduct of officials in the NSW branch had hit sponsorships and ticket sales.
"The feedback we have received from stakeholders, sponsors and the broader community is that the media attention surrounding NSW has had a consequence on the levels of interest in the concert and the conversion in subsequent sponsorship and ticket sales," Ms Jackman said.
"As such we have come to the unfortunate decision that now is not the time to hold such an event."
The RSL declined to answer questions about the impact of the cancellation on its fundraising operations. But a spokeswoman said it had expected to sell about 500 tickets and still hoped to do so at a revised date next year.
National president Rod White stood aside earlier this month pending an investigation after Fairfax Media revealed that in his previous role as NSW state council member he had received a share in nearly $1 million in "consulting fees" between 2013 and 2015 despite holding a voluntary position within the organisation.
Three other present and former NSW councillors also received the payments from RSL LifeCare, the organisation's aged care arm.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission is looking at whether the RSL is meeting its obligations as a charity in light of revelations about the payments. The commission has the power to strip the veterans' group of its charity status.
Accounting firm KordaMentha is carrying out an independent investigation into the payments, which the RSL has promised will be made public.
Ms Jackman said the RSL held a "sincere hope" it could hold the concert on another date before the end of the centenary period in June next year, if the Navy is able to host the event.
"This decision is not taken lightly and words cannot express our deepest gratitude to the Navy and in particular the outstanding crew of HMAS Canberra, who has gone above and beyond to assist us. We humbly apologise for any inconvenience," she said.
HMAS Canberra, an amphibious assault ship, is along with sister ship HMAS Adelaide the star of Australia's fleet. At 231 metres long and weighing nearly 28,000 tonnes, it can carry 1000 soldiers as well as helicopters and tanks.
It deployed earlier this year to help Fiji in the wake of Cyclone Winston.
