Braveheart Tribe of Young Liberals Exposed by Icac 2026

The 'Braveheart' tribe of young Liberals descended from the Hills only to have their kilts lifted by Icac, exposing a secretive sub-faction known as the Reformers. This investigation reveals how a group of rightwingers, likened to a Scottish tribe, engaged in branch stacking and allegedly accepted illegal donations from banned donors, including developers and hoteliers.

The Reformers: A Cult Within the NSW Liberals

Former NSW MP David Elliott described the Reformers as "a cult" at the heart of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) investigation. The group, composed of young conservative Catholics, aimed to purge the party of "woke" moderates and install more conservative candidates. Robert Assaf, a Reformer, compared the faction to Braveheart, noting they sometimes "slaughtered" fellow rightwingers but united for major battles.

Motivations and Ideology

The Reformers were driven by a strong conviction to reclaim the NSW Liberal party from secular influences. Their agenda included restricting abortion and euthanasia, opposing gender identity education, and promoting pro-family policies. They also sought tougher drug laws and rejected climate change as a "lie."

Illegal Donations and Banned Donors

Icac is investigating whether the Reformers took funds from banned donors, including developers and hoteliers, and exceeded NSW's donation caps. One donor, 84-year-old hotelier Michael O'Hara, admitted giving $165,000 to support conservative policies. Documents show he wanted action on abortion, euthanasia, and gender identity in schools.

Branch Stacking in the Hills

The branch stacking moved to the Hills, an area in north-west Sydney with many churches. This strategy aimed to increase the Reformers' influence by recruiting members who shared their conservative values. The Icac hearings have revealed the outsized influence of conservative Catholicism in the NSW Liberal party.

Key Takeaways

• The Reformers are a secretive sub-faction with a cult-like following.
• Illegal donations from banned donors are under investigation.
• Conservative Catholic ideology drives their political agenda.
• Branch stacking in the Hills was a key tactic.
• Icac's findings may have significant political repercussions.

Implications for Political Donations Laws

This case highlights the importance of transparency in political donations. Democracies rely on sunlight to ensure accountability. The Icac investigation aims to uncover whether the Reformers broke electoral funding laws, potentially undermining public trust.

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