ICAC investigation into NSW Liberal Party could bring seismic change

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales is set to commence eight weeks of public hearings into Operation Rosny, an investigation that could significantly reshape the state's Liberal Party. The probe centers on allegations of political donations being made in breach of electoral laws and potentially used to fund the "stacking" of Liberal Party branches and local councils.

The investigation stems from explosive claims made in 2022 by Kellyville MP Ray Williams, who alleged that disgraced property developer Jean Nassif had funded Liberal Party members to install individuals favorable to his developments on the Hills Shire Council. Williams named several Liberal operatives and a sitting MP as potentially involved in a bribery and council-stacking scheme.

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This issue must be investigated.

ICAC's investigation has expanded significantly beyond Williams' initial allegations. It will scrutinize whether political donations were sought or made by Liberal Party operatives illegally, whether Catholic Schools NSW, under chief executive Dallas McInerney, made undisclosed donations above caps to fund branch-stacking, and if company Paslibdan made illegal donations on behalf of hotelier Michael O'Hara for the same purpose.

Further lines of inquiry include whether Nassif made illegal donations in exchange for favors, such as damaging opponents' careers. The hearings will also examine alleged spying and blackmail activities by former Strathfield Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and current councillor Karen Pensabene against councillor Matthew Blackmore. Key figures facing scrutiny include Dallas McInerney, Charles Perrottet, Jean-Claude Perrottet, Jean Nassif, Michael O'Hara, Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, Robert Assaf, and several councillors.

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What I said in parliament four years ago had nothing to do with factions. It had everything to do with bad people in the Liberal Party doing the wrong thing, and there is no place for bad people in any political party, or bad people having a role in selecting members for local, state or federal parliament.