In Australia, ICAC examines allegations linked to the Reformers network
In Australia, the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is examining allegations of illegal political donations, manipulation of party branch membership and fictitious money transfer schemes. The investigation concerns, in particular, the Reformers network, which sought to influence the internal politics of the New South Wales Liberal Party. This was reported by ABC News Australia.
The Reformers network was founded in 2018 by lobbyists Christian Ellis and Robert Assaf. Its members planned to recruit 5,000 conservative Christians into the state Liberal Party in order to strengthen their influence over its internal processes. Charles and Jean-Claude Perrottet — brothers of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet — were also involved in the network.
ICAC has not accused Dominic Perrottet of wrongdoing. According to ABC, he referred information about the allegations to the commission in 2022.
Links to a developer
ICAC hearings also concern the possible influence of developer Jean Nassif on politics in northwestern Sydney. Nassif, according to the source, fled to Lebanon in 2022. The commission heard allegations that he allegedly sought to influence the Liberal Party's internal candidate selection and decisions connected with his development interests.
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In a recording of a telephone conversation played during the hearings, Nassif offered $100,000 to support the nomination of one of the Perrottet brothers. ICAC also heard allegations that Charles Perrottet, Ellis and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood allegedly expected a combined $2 million from Nassif.
Influence within the party
Assaf described Reformers as a “very amateurish” group of young people trying to understand politics. At the same time, the hearings heard evidence that by 2020 the network had recruited 1,200 members into the New South Wales Liberal Party, gained representation on the state executive body and established control over some local branches.
Ellis and Greenwood, through the companies Beckington and JPG Advisory, entered into consulting contracts with organisations and individuals who had political influence. According to the hearings, hotelier Michael O'Hara paid Reformers a total of $165,000. Former head of Catholic Schools NSW Dallas McInerney stated in his testimony that he generally supported the network's political goals but considered its strategy fundamentally flawed.
