Angus Taylor denies payments to conservative group amid ICAC probe
Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor insists he made no payments to the Reformers group, which is under investigation by New South Wales' ICAC. He is not a party to the proceedings and said no payment was made.
Angus Taylor, the Australian federal opposition leader, on Wednesday denied making any payments to the conservative Liberal party faction known as the Reformers, which is currently being investigated by the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Speaking at a press conference in Queensland, Taylor stated he is not a party to the proceedings and no payment was made.
The ICAC hearing on Tuesday heard evidence from Dylan Whitelaw, a former NSW Liberal parliamentary staffer and associate of the Reformers. Whitelaw was shown a screenshot of a message from Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, sent to Robert Assaf, a Reformers member, and then to a group chat including Whitelaw in March 2021. The message read: "I have breakfast club with ministers this Thursday morning, who can I get an update from? Re SCD [state council delegate] progress in the last six to 12 months. I want to shake down Angus for 10k."
Whitelaw confirmed that "Angus" likely referred to Angus Taylor and that "SCD progress" related to the Reformers' plan to elect conservative members to the party's state council. The group sought more conservative policies on same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia.
Another message from days later allegedly stated: "Dallas has told me he got the commitment from Angus, the 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation!" Whitelaw said he did not recall sending that message and would be surprised if Taylor made any financial contribution.
Taylor's office issued a statement on Tuesday saying he is not a party to the matters before the commission and will not provide a running commentary. Other Liberal figures, including Senator Jane Hume, Energy Minister Dan Tehan, and others, echoed the call for allowing ICAC to do its job without political interference.
Taylor has not been accused of wrongdoing. The ICAC hearings continue.
