NSW RSL spent $93,000 defending 'homophobic attack'

The chief executive of the NSW RSL has described a decision to spend $93,000 defending a senior executive accused of vilifying a gay veteran as disappointing.

NSW RSL senior executive Bill Harrigan was accused of making homophobic remarks about a gay veteran. Source: rslnsw.org.au

The NSW RSL has been forced to defend spending tens of thousands of dollars settling an internal homophobic legal dispute.

According to the ABC, the NSW branch of the veterans affairs organisation spent more than $93,000 defending senior executive Bill Harrigan after he was accused of vilifying a gay RSL member in 2010.

NSW RSL chief executive Glenn Kolomeitz told the ABC it was disappointing so much money was being spent on legal disputes when it could go to help veterans and their families.

"Having seen the file, it was spending money defending the indefensible," Mr Kolomeitz said.

"It was a homophobic attack on a young veteran, and in this day and age really, the RSL must be a safe and comforting place for all serving and ex-serving members."

Mr Harrigan later apologised and the legal case was dropped with no damages paid, but the ABC reported Mr Harrigan was not sanctioned.