Damien Tudehope, the leader of the opposition in the New South Wales upper house, has temporarily stepped aside from his role during a corruption watchdog inquiry into allegations of Liberal Party branch stacking. Tudehope, who also serves as shadow attorney general, revealed he has been called as a witness in the Independent Commission against Corruption (Icac) public hearings scheduled to start on July 27.
Icac inquiry into branch stacking allegations
The Icac investigation focuses on claims that Liberal figures "solicited or accepted" illegal donations to recruit or renew party members, a practice known as branch stacking. The inquiry will examine allegations involving political lobbyists, NSW Liberal members, and a fugitive developer.
In a statement, Tudehope said Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane accepted his offer to step aside for the duration of the public inquiry, which "involves several people with whom I have had close relations during my political career." He emphasized that there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by him and he is not under investigation.
Tudehope's decision to step aside
Tudehope stated: "There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by myself nor am I under investigation. However, as I have been called as a witness to the inquiry, something I am more than happy to comply with, I am concerned that, while the public hearings are under way my position ... could become an unnecessary distraction for Kellie Sloane and my parliamentary colleagues as they need to focus on holding the Minns Labor government to account and defeating Labor at the March 2027 election."
He reiterated that he made the decision freely because he believes it is the right course of action and looks forward to resuming his position once the scheduled hearings conclude.
