General News at RSL
MEDIA RELEASE
21 December 2011
The Executive of the RSL WA State Branch has received information by way of complaint about the process of election of candidates at the State Congress held at the Mercure Hotel on 26 November 2011.
RSL WA State President, Bill Gaynor OAM RFD said a thorough investigation by the State Secretary has not excluded the possibility that the process conducted by the Returning Officer and staff may have materially affected the outcome of one or more of the ballots.
"Accordingly the State Executive has detemined that the possibility of an unfair outcome is sufficient for the RSL WA State Branch to seek a declaration with the consent of the RSL WA State Branch from the Supreme Court of Western Australia that the election was invalid and the outcomes are void," Mr Gaynor said.
After this Court process is concluded it will be the legal responsibility of the RSL WA State Branch to hold an election for the positions which are declared to be vacant and it is proposed to conduct this election strictly in accordance with the Constitution and rules by postal ballot and through an impartial and independent agency offering this service.
Mr Gaynor said the State Executive of the RSL sincerely apologises to all its members and to all of the candidates for each of the positions recently elected for these regrettable circumstances.
"However the primary concern for the State Executive is to act decisively, transparently and in the interests of procedural fairness for all candidates and Sub Branches in accordance with the values of the RSL."
Media Contact - John McCourt - Member State Executive - 0429 946 777