Angus Taylor says no payments were made in relation to a growing corruption case involving members of the NSW Liberals, insisting he is not a party to the proceedings. Fellow Liberals also closed ranks around the federal opposition leader, sidestepping questions about the hearing by noting his statements and the fact he is not a party to the corruption inquiry’s work.
What did Angus Taylor say about the ICAC inquiry?
During a press conference in Queensland on Wednesday morning, Taylor was asked about being named as a potential donor to a conservative Liberal group known as the Reformers, now being investigated by the New South Wales ICAC.
“I’m not a party to the proceedings. No payment was made,” Taylor said.
Asked if he would agree to appear as a witness, he said no such request had been made and he would not discuss hypotheticals.
“I haven’t been approached by the commission and I’m not going to give a running commentary,” Taylor said.
Taylor, who is not accused of wrongdoing, was on Tuesday when Dylan Whitelaw, a former NSW Liberal parliamentary staffer and associate of the Reformers, gave evidence.
What evidence was heard at the hearing?
During the hearing, Whitelaw was shown a screenshot of a message from the Catholic Schools NSW chief executive, Dallas McInerney. The screenshot was sent by Robert Assaf, a member of the Reformers, to a group chat that included Whitelaw in March 2021.
“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,”
the message, read aloud at the inquiry, allegedly said.
Asked if “Angus” referred to , Whitelaw said: “I would assume it’s Angus Taylor”. Whitelaw said that “SCD progress” referred to a Reformers plan to have as many conservative members elected to the NSW Liberals state council as possible.
Whitelaw was shown another message, from days later, in which he allegedly wrote:
“Dallas has told me he got the commitment from Angus, the 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation!”
He said he did not recall sending the message, nor did he recall Taylor making a financial contribution to the Reformers.
“Potentially, Dallas had told me something that was incorrect. I’d be very surprised if Mr Taylor made any financial contribution,” Whitelaw said.
How has Taylor’s office responded?
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Taylor said he was “not a party to the matters before the commission, nor has he been approached.”
“These matters should be allowed to run their course free from political interference or commentary. As such the Leader will not be providing a running commentary on any matters before the commission. Donations and fundraising activities are declared in accordance with the rules and are a matter for the Party,” Taylor’s office said.
Taylor’s deputy, senator Jane Hume, said she would not comment on the inquiry.
“It’s most important here that we allow the commission, the inquiry to to undertake its role, free of political interference and free of commentary … If there are any allegations of inappropriate use of donations, that’s really a matter for the NSW division of the party,” she told .
“Donations are always disclosed in a fully transparent and legally appropriate way.”
Dan Tehan, the show minister for energy, told the ABC that politicians should “let Icac do its job.”
The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, on Wednesday said he had no knowledge of the case, saying Icac “should be left to do their job”. Liberal MP Mary Aldred on Tuesday said Taylor was not involved in the process.
Key Facts
- Angus Taylor was asked about the Reformers, a conservative Liberal group being investigated by the New South Wales ICAC.
- Taylor said: “I’m not a party to the proceedings. No payment was made,” and added he had not been approached by the commission.
- Evidence from Dylan Whitelaw included messages mentioning “Angus” and alleged donations of “10k”, “15k injection” and a “3k monthly donation”.
- Taylor’s office, Jane Hume, Dan Tehan, Tim Wilson and Mary Aldred all urged the commission to be allowed to do its work without comment.
