The NSW Liberal party corruption hearing at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has exposed a coordinated effort by young power brokers to take control of the party through branch stacking. The Operation Rosny hearings began on Monday, investigating allegations that Liberal figures solicited or accepted undeclared donations, including from prohibited donors, to recruit or renew members.
Who Are the Reformers?
The so-called Reformers—a core group of young Liberal staffers and lobbyists—include Christian Ellis, consultant Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet, younger brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet. Counsel assisting the commission, Peggy Dwyer SC, stated that lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood allegedly facilitated their receipt of funds.
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Senior Politicians’ Support
Dwyer said evidence would show senior NSW Liberal politicians supported the Reformers by speaking at events or facilitating recruitment. Special guests included former prime minister Tony Abbott, broadcaster Alan Jones, and Dallas McInerney from Catholic Schools NSW. The events focused on conservative and religious issues.
A document from Ellis’s time as a staffer for Nationals senator Matt Canavan outlined the mission: “Taking back our nation through good government.” It proposed recruiting 5,000 Christian conservatives to join NSW Liberal branches, thereby taking control of the party.
Branch Stacking Tactics
Branch stacking involves systematically recruiting new members to influence internal party elections and preselections. The Reformers targeted Christian conservatives to shift the NSW Liberal party to the right. Table 1 compares typical branch stacking methods with legitimate membership drives.
| Aspect | Branch Stacking | Legitimate Recruitment |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Control internal elections | Build genuine membership base |
| Donations | Often undisclosed or prohibited | Transparent and lawful |
| Targeting | Specific ideological groups | Broad community |
Key Takeaways
- The Icac Operation Rosny is investigating three allegations of corruption within the NSW Liberal party.
- Young power brokers, the Reformers, aimed to recruit 5,000 Christian conservatives to shift the party rightward.
- Senior politicians and high-profile figures supported these recruitment events.
- Practices include soliciting prohibited donations and exceeding donation caps.
FAQ
What is branch stacking?
Branch stacking is the practice of recruiting large numbers of new party members—often with unethical or illegal means—to influence internal party elections and preselections. It can involve undisclosed donations and targeting specific demographic groups.
Who are the Reformers in the NSW Liberal party?
The Reformers are a group of young Liberal staffers and lobbyists, including Christian Ellis, Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet. They allegedly worked to take control of the party and move it to the right through branch stacking.
What is the Icac Operation Rosny?
Operation Rosny is an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) into allegations of corruption involving NSW Liberal party figures. It examines branch stacking, prohibited donations, and undeclared financial activities.
The hearings continue this week, with more witnesses expected to testify about the NSW Liberal party corruption allegations. Stay informed with our ongoing coverage of Australian politics and Icac investigations.
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