Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor has been named as a potential donor to a conservative Liberal group being investigated by the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Taylor himself is not accused of wrongdoing.
ICAC hearings reveal messages about Taylor
ICAC on Tuesday held its second day of Operation Rosny hearings into allegations of corruption against people associated with the NSW Liberal party. In her opening statement on Monday, counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC said evidence would show how a group of young Liberal power brokers known as the “Reformers” allegedly “solicited or accepted” donations, including from prohibited donors, in amounts which were undeclared or exceeded caps, to recruit or renew members to the party.
Former NSW Liberal parliamentary staffer and associate of the Reformers, Dylan Whitelaw, who is not named in ICAC’s allegations, gave evidence in Sydney on Tuesday. During the hearing, Whitelaw was shown a screenshot of a message from the Catholic Schools NSW chief executive, Dallas McInerney. The screenshot was sent by Robert Assaf, a member of the Reformers, to a group chat that included Whitelaw in March 2021.
“I have breakfast club with ministers this Thursday morning, who can I get an update from? Re SCD [state council delegate] progress in the last six to 12 months. I want to shake down Angus for 10k,” the message, read aloud at the inquiry, allegedly said. Asked if “Angus” referred to Angus Taylor, Whitelaw said: “I would assume it’s Angus Taylor”.
Whitelaw’s testimony on donations
Whitelaw was shown another message, from days later, in which he allegedly wrote: “Dallas has told me he got the commitment from Angus, the 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation!” He said he did not recall sending the message, nor did he recall Taylor making a financial contribution to the Reformers. “Potentially, Dallas had told me something that was incorrect. I’d be very surprised if Mr Taylor made any financial contribution,” Whitelaw said.
Counsel assisting Juliet Curtin asked if the purported donations “at least on this evidence is for the work that Reformers were doing?” Whitelaw replied: “I would draw that conclusion from the fact it’s in a Reformers group chat but I don’t have a recollection around it.” Earlier, asked if he believed Taylor was aware of the Reformers’ activities, he said: “I wouldn’t suggest in much detail, but he was aware, yes.”
Taylor’s spokesperson responds
A spokesperson for the federal Liberal leader said Taylor was “not a party to the matters before the commission, nor has he been approached”. “These matters should be allowed to run their course free from political interference or commentary. As such, the leader will not be providing a running commentary on any matters before the commission. Donations and fundraising activities are declared in accordance with the rules and are a matter for the party.”
O’Hara’s evidence on payments
On Tuesday morning, hotelier Michael O’Hara finished giving evidence to the inquiry. O’Hara, prohibited from making political donations because of his involvement in the liquor industry, is alleged to have paid $165,000 to the Reformers between 2018 and 2023. “After what I heard yesterday and what I read in the newspapers … I am absolutely astounded by where it all ended up, which I had absolutely no knowledge of. I’m disgusted,” he said.
O’Hara admitted that he had made payments to registered lobbyist Beckington, founded by Reformers member Christian Ellis, and to a company controlled by Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet, to support branch-stacking efforts in Liberal branches in NSW, under the guise of financial advice or consulting services.
Political reactions
The current NSW Liberal leader, Kellie Sloane, who was not an MP at the time of the allegations ICAC is investigating, told 2GB the first day of hearings had been “intensely uncomfortable listening”. She stood by comments that Damien Tudehope was a “man of integrity”. Tudehope, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, has stood aside from his roles as leader of the Liberals in the upper house and shadow attorney general after being called as a witness during the inquiry.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said on Tuesday there would be no “gloating or taking political advantage” of ICAC’s inquiry, which also involves allegations against two Labor councillors. “It’s an important process,” Minns told reporters. “And ultimately, hopefully, it makes all political parties cleaner and sends a message to anyone who’s thinking of breaching the laws or committing a corrupt act that someone’s watching.”
ICAC’s hearings continue on Wednesday, with Whitelaw expected to give further evidence.
