RSPCA board member Rod Andrewartha resigns

ANOTHER board member has resigned from the RSPCA's Tasmanian branch. Rod Andrewartha, who is also the chief veterinary officer with the Department of Primary Industries and Water, resigned last week over a potential conflict of interest and concerns that he would be unable to meet his fiduciary duties to the society. Dr Andrewartha, who had served on the board for about a year, said his decision was not related to recent revelations about the society's financial situation. "The fiduciary duty doesn't affect the board, it's a personal decision," Dr Andrewartha said. "It's got nothing whatsoever to do with any of the two recent resignations and there is no association with any of those sorts of things. "The fiduciary duty of any member on any board is to serve the board and the organisation as a whole." Dr Andrewartha said he had focused on a particular area - the inspectorate - and he did not think it was fair on the RSPCA to not focus on other areas such as fund-raising and the shelters. Dr Andrewartha is the fourth member of the RSPCA board to resign in recent months.