The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has uncovered evidence implicating senior Liberal figures, including federal opposition leader Angus Taylor and former premier Dominic Perrottet, in a branch stacking scandal involving illegal donations and leaked parliamentary reports. The inquiry, now in its second week, has exposed a network of young conservatives known as the Reformers who allegedly accepted prohibited donations from Catholic Schools NSW, a hotelier, and fugitive developer Jean Nassif to infiltrate the party and push conservative policies on abortion, euthanasia, and climate change.
Whale hunting: senior Liberals in the crosshairs
As one Liberal insider put it, "I think they are whale hunting. We just don't know yet which whale they will hit." The inquiry has already seen testimony from former NSW finance minister Damien Tudehope, who admitted to leaking a draft parliamentary report on branch stacking to a person under investigation, and from Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of the former premier, who detailed his role in disguising payments and recruiting members. Other "whales" mentioned include former planning minister Anthony Roberts and moderate power broker Chris Rath, though none are formally persons of interest.
The hearings have revealed that property developers and hoteliers, banned from donating in NSW, allegedly funneled money to the Reformers. Texts presented to Icac suggest Taylor may have promised financial support, though he denied any payment was made. The inquiry also heard a phone intercept of Nassif boasting about influencing political decisions, including the removal of a building commissioner.
Leaked report and political fallout
Tudehope's admission of leaking a draft parliamentary report has raised questions about who provided him the document, potentially ending his political career. The NSW opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, has yet to call for his resignation, but the scandal threatens to undermine the party's efforts to present a modern, moderate image ahead of the next election.
The inquiry has also focused on the role of Dominic Perrottet, with evidence suggesting Nassif had advance knowledge of a 2021 cabinet reshuffle that replaced the building commissioner's ministerial oversight. Jean-Claude Perrottet described Nassif's calls as "crazy talk," but the revelations have cast a shadow over the former premier's leadership.
Broader implications for the NSW Liberals
As the inquiry continues, with Catholic Schools NSW former CEO Dallas McInerney set to testify next week, the party faces a crisis of credibility. Branch stacking, if proven, could lead to significant electoral losses, as seen in South Australia and Western Australia, where similar takeovers by religiously aligned right-wing groups reduced the Liberal parties to a handful of seats. The NSW Liberals must address the fallout quickly to avoid a similar fate.
