Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury said he had been briefed on the incident that sparked the controversy surrounding the charity, the concreting of rabbit warrens at its Weston Creek compound.

Mr Linke’s surprise resignation on Monday has been followed by complaints from workers about underpayment, staff welfare and management style, with two investigations now under way.

Nine workers at the Weston Creek headquarters have taken their concerns to union United Voice, leading the charity’s governing board to launch an investigation.

RSPCA animal welfare executive manager Glenn Howie remains suspended and under investigation after publicly accusing Mr Linke of animal cruelty, for concreting over the rabbit holes on RSPCA land in August and challenging the chief executive over other workplace issues.

Mr Linke, who is on holiday in New York, has not responded to repeated requests for an interview by The Canberra Times.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Mr Rattenbury said he had been briefed by Territory and Municipal Services staff on complaints about rabbit holes at the Weston Creek site being filled with concrete slurry.

ACT government inspectors last month found there was no evidence of cruelty from the incident.

“TAMS have provided briefing on one complaint in relation the use of concrete in rabbit warrens,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“This is the only complaint that has been brought to my attention. TAMS do not investigate any complaints in relation to staffing issues.”

Former RSPCA staff have said they made complaints to the charity’s governing council and to TAMS as long ago as 2010.

But the minister and his department say the only complaint they are aware of relates to the converting incident and has been investigated.

The Greens MP said the RSPCA could have staffing problems like any other organisation but the charity would continue to play a big role in animal welfare.

“Like any organisation, they may at times experience issues in relation to staffing or administration, however I am sure they will continue to provide their important services to the Canberra community,” Mr Rattenbury said.

The charity has a “service funding agreement” with the ACT government to provide care and shelter for stray dogs, cats and other pets, enforce animal cruelty laws and educate the public about care animal welfare. The RSPCA also has a licence agreement to care for injured and orphaned wild animals. He said work was still under way to determine the details of the new combined Domestic Animal Services and RSPCA facility at Symonston.

Mr Linke flew to the US for a five-week holiday on Tuesday, after giving two interviews to ABC Radio.

“It just smacks of a couple of disgruntled employees trying to damage an organisation that is founded in saving animals,’’ Mr Linke told the broadcaster.