Former employees of charity speak out about $150k in unpaid super

Several former employees of the animal welfare charity PAWS Darwin have come forward alleging that the organization failed to pay more than $150,000 in superannuation contributions. The employees, who dedicated themselves to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals, discovered the non-payment through their superannuation fund statements.

“

We saved animals that would have otherwise been euthanised, we helped people whose animals were requiring expensive surgeries that they couldn't afford.

Sarah, a former employee who requested her surname be withheld, described receiving a letter from her super fund in September 2024 stating her policy was at risk of cancellation due to a full year of no contributions. She expressed anger and distress, noting that her pay slips had consistently shown amounts being deducted for superannuation. PAWS Darwin director Lisa Leek (also known as Lisa Hansen) allegedly attributed the issue to "cash flow problems" and assured staff it would be resolved, but this did not happen.

“

The first thing that went through my mind was I guess anger, because if something had happened to me, my kids wouldn't have been provided for in the way that I intended, and that made me very upset.

Another former employee, Cody Farrow, worked at PAWS Darwin between 2022 and 2023. She discovered she was owed more than half of her accrued superannuation only after other staff members reported not receiving theirs. Farrow stated, "Every single pay slip they claimed they were paying me x amount of super and it is disgusting that they didn't." She expressed concern for long-term employees.

“

Every single pay slip they claimed they were paying me x amount of super and it is disgusting that they didn't.

Claire, another former employee who also requested anonymity, estimated she is owed between $6,000 and $10,000. She described the discovery as "deeply hurtful and disappointing," especially given her commitment to the charity's mission. The failure to pay superannuation has caused significant stress and concern about her long-term financial security, which she views as a "breach of trust."

“

Finding out that my superannuation, among others, was not paid has been deeply hurtful and disappointing, particularly because I cared so much about the work we were all doing there.