The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has uncovered a damaging document known as a 'shit sheet' targeting former police minister David Elliott, revealing the inner workings of the secretive rightwing Reformers sub-faction of the Liberal Party.
Document and Text Trail Revealed
On Wednesday, former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw gave evidence that he compiled a document titled 'David Elliot shit sheet.docx' in 2021 while working for a public relations company owned by Reformers Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood. The document included references to unflattering articles about Elliott, such as an incident where he fired an illegal firearm at a corrections department firing range as police minister. Whitelaw admitted to compiling the document at Greenwood's request but said he did not recall writing a section alleging an extramarital affair, suggesting it might have been added later.
Whitelaw described the document as part of 'standard factional warfare' within the Liberal Party, noting that the right wing 'had hatred of the centre-right or the Alex Hawke faction, of which Mr Elliot was a leading figure.' However, counsel assisting Juliet Curtin suggested the document was prepared to further interests of fugitive developer Jean Nassif. Whitelaw conceded that on reflection, 'absolutely, that's what it appears to be.'
Broader Investigation into Undeclared Donations
The Icac inquiry is investigating allegations that the Reformers took undeclared political donations, including from banned donors like developers and hoteliers, in amounts exceeding donation caps. Previous hearings revealed that Catholic Schools NSW, a charity distributing funds to Catholic schools, made undeclared payments totaling $260,000, and hotelier Michael O'Hara contributed more than $150,000. Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC hinted at further revelations about $2 million paid by Nassif to key players, allegedly to remove building commissioner David Chandler and critics like Elliott.
Elliott, who is not under investigation, issued a statement denying the affair: 'As most of Sydney knows I'm a devoted husband of 30 years to a beautiful woman who doesn't deserve to be treated like this by the party she has sacrificed so much for.' He expressed willingness to give evidence if invited.
Dirty Tricks and Federal Links
Whitelaw also testified about a video allegedly showing Chandler in an unflattering light, which was passed to Liberal MP Eleni Petinos for use in a parliamentary committee. Whitelaw said chief of staff Christopher Spence told him 'Eleni fucked it up.' Neither Spence nor Petinos are subjects of the investigation.
Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor faced questions about text exchanges indicating he contributed to the Reformers. One text from Whitelaw to the Reformers WhatsApp group stated that Catholic Schools NSW head Dallas McInerney said Taylor was 'tipping in $15,000 plus $3,000 a month.' Another screenshot showed McInerney planned to 'shake down Angus for $10k.' Taylor insisted no payment was made: 'I'm not a party to the proceedings, but no payment was made.' He is not under investigation.
Icac is also examining why monthly payments from Catholic Schools to Ellis and Greenwood's company Beckington increased by $3,000 around the time of the text exchanges about Taylor's support. Whitelaw said he did not know but was sure he never received an $8,000 bonus mentioned in the texts.
