Angus Taylor Named in ICAC Corruption Probe Over $15K Reformers Donation

Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has been named as a potential donor to a conservative Liberal faction now under investigation by NSW’s corruption watchdog. Text messages shown at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Tuesday revealed claims that Taylor agreed to donate $15,000 plus $3,000 monthly to the NSW Reformers. Taylor is not accused of wrongdoing, and his office said donations are declared in accordance with party rules.

What the text messages reveal

During Operation Rosny hearings on Tuesday, former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw testified that Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney sent a message in March 2021 saying he wanted to “shake down Angus for 10k.” A follow-up message, allegedly from Whitelaw, stated McInerney had received “the commitment from Angus, the 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation.” Whitelaw told the inquiry he assumed “Angus” referred to Taylor, though he said he did not recall sending the second message or whether Taylor actually made the contributions.

The Reformers and their factional work

The NSW Reformers are a right-wing Christian faction within the Liberal Party. The group sought financial backing to recruit conservative members to the NSW Liberal state council. Whitelaw worked for Catholic Schools NSW while also doing factional work for the Reformers, which he described as a “running joke” with colleague Robert Assaf. The ICAC is investigating whether the Reformers solicited or accepted prohibited donations in undeclared amounts or exceeding legal caps.

ICAC’s two-day inquiry into Liberal corruption

The corruption watchdog began Operation Rosny hearings on Monday after four years of investigation. Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC delivered a 20,533-word opening statement outlining allegations against people associated with the NSW Liberal Party. The inquiry will run for eight weeks and examine links between the party, developer Jean Nassif, and others. Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, who referred the allegations to ICAC in 2022, is not accused of wrongdoing.

Taylor’s response and the donation question

A spokesperson for Taylor did not deny the donations were made but said they were declared in accordance with party rules. The Opposition Leader faces scrutiny over his involvement with the Reformers at a time when he leads the federal Liberal opposition. The ICAC has not accused Taylor of any wrongdoing, and the inquiry is focused on whether the Reformers breached donation rules and party regulations.

Final Thoughts

Taylor’s naming in the ICAC inquiry adds political pressure to the Opposition Leader as the corruption watchdog examines factional donations within the NSW Liberal Party. While Taylor is not accused of wrongdoing, the revelations raise questions about his ties to the Reformers during a critical period for federal Liberal leadership.

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