The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, has emerged as the most prominent figure mentioned in the early days of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) inquiry, known as Operation Rosny. While Taylor is not a target of the investigation, which examines alleged corruption among individuals linked to the NSW Liberal Party, his name has been repeatedly raised, causing anxiety among his colleagues and anger among his factional enemies.
Allegations of Donations to the Reformers
The inquiry heard that a screenshot of a message from Dallas McInerney, then chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, was sent to members of the Reformers, a hard-right Liberal group plotting internal party takeover. In the message, McInerney stated he planned to “shake down Angus for 10k” during a breakfast meeting in Canberra in March 2021, when Taylor was energy minister. Another intercepted text from Reformers associate Dylan Whitelaw claimed McInerney had secured a commitment from Taylor for a “15k injection and a 3k monthly donation!” Whitelaw later said he could not recall sending the message and would be “very surprised” if Taylor contributed.
Taylor's Response and Colleagues' Concerns
Taylor initially declined to refute the allegations but told a press conference on Wednesday that “no payment was made.” When pressed again on Thursday in Logan, Queensland, he repeated, “I’ve answered these questions yesterday. I’m not going to give a running commentary on it.” Several Liberals, speaking anonymously to Guardian Australia, believed Taylor must provide a more comprehensive explanation if he had no role in funding the Reformers. Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers echoed this, stating, “There are a number of questions to be answered here, and he should front up and explain any involvement he’s had in this.”
Further Questions and Evidence
Whitelaw was asked if the alleged $3,000 monthly payments were linked to similar amounts Catholic Schools NSW paid to Beckington, a lobbying firm connected to the Reformers. No evidence confirms Taylor donated; only text messages suggest payments were sought or received. Taylor has not clarified his knowledge of the Reformers or their branch-stacking operation. Reformers witness Robert Assaf said Taylor “definitely wasn’t opposed” to their work. Another text from Whitelaw stated “Angus Taylor is locked-in” for an event in Goulburn in September 2020, with “Angus” mentioned in other messages, though context is unclear.
Political Fallout and Factional Tensions
Taylor’s close ties to McInerney, a powerful NSW Liberal right faction operator, have caused concern. McInerney helped Taylor’s campaigns and was influential in his overthrow of Sussan Ley. As Icac probes McInerney’s dealings, the inquiry becomes more dangerous for Taylor, whose leadership is tenuous given poor Coalition poll numbers. Liberals are surprised Taylor hasn’t distanced himself from McInerney, who stepped down from Catholic Schools NSW after the inquiry was announced. The Reformers’ recruitment targeted branches in federal seats of Berowra, Lindsay, and Farrer, aiming to dislodge Julian Leeser, Melissa McIntosh, and Sussan Ley. McIntosh and Ley were saved only by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s intervention before the 2022 election. The idea that Taylor might have supported the plotters, even financially, would represent a level of treason beyond normal factional politics.
Looking Ahead
The inquiry has over seven weeks of hearings remaining. While Taylor is not a specific target of Icac, he is unlikely to emerge unscathed, with more questions than answers at this stage.
