NSW Liberal Factionalism: Reformers Co-Founder Compares to 2026

The NSW Liberal factionalism scandal has taken a cinematic turn, with a Reformers co-founder comparing internal party battles to Mel Gibson's Braveheart. This political news reveals how factional warfare and alleged illegal donations are shaking the party's foundations.

Reformers Co-Founder Testifies at Icac

Robert Assaf, a 30-year-old co-founder of the conservative group the Reformers, appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Thursday. He admitted to being one of two founding members in 2017, amid a split between the religious conservative hard right and the centre-right factions of the NSW Liberal Party.

Assaf's testimony centered on the group's alleged solicitation of donations, including from prohibited donors, to recruit or renew party members—a practice known as branch-stacking. While not inherently illegal, the investigation focuses on potential breaches of the NSW Electoral Funding Act.

Braveheart Comparison and Legal Ignorance

When questioned about the factional dynamics, Assaf drew a vivid parallel: "My observations at the time were, the right faction was like—I'm not sure if you've seen Braveheart—but like these warring kingdoms, and they would slaughter each other, and then every now and then they'd come together for a big fight." This comparison underscores the intense internal strife within the party.

More damningly, Assaf admitted the group "didn't think the law applied to us" regarding electoral funding laws. He reasoned, "Because it was an electoral law, we're not campaigning in elections in that sense. We're internal Liberal party machinations." This legal misunderstanding highlights a troubling disregard for campaign finance regulations.

Political Donations and Branch-Stacking: A Data Snapshot

To understand the scale of such practices, consider the following comparison of donation rules and enforcement in Australian states:

This table shows that NSW has strict caps and prohibited donor lists, making the Reformers' alleged actions particularly serious.

Key Takeaways from the Icac Hearing

• Factional warfare within the NSW Liberal Party is intense, with groups like the Reformers pushing for more conservative policies on same-sex marriage, transgender rights, abortion, and euthanasia.
• The group's co-founder admitted to a lack of understanding of electoral laws, believing internal party activities were exempt.
• Icac is investigating whether donations were solicited from prohibited donors and undeclared or over cap amounts.
• Branch-stacking itself is not illegal, but the manner of funding and recruitment may violate the Electoral Funding Act.

Implications for NSW Politics

This testimony could have far-reaching consequences for the Liberal Party's internal structure and public trust. If Icac finds evidence of illegal conduct, it may lead to charges, fines, or even disqualification for those involved. The case also highlights the need for greater transparency in political donations and internal party operations.

As the investigation continues, political observers are watching closely to see if more witnesses from the Reformers will testify. The outcome could reshape factional dynamics and campaign finance practices across Australia.

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