ICAC investigates Liberal Party faction Reformers and alleged illegal donations via lobbying firms

Consensus Summary

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that the right-wing Liberal Party faction, the Reformers, received prohibited donations and funneled money through third parties to advance political interests. At the center of the inquiry is lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood, who testified before ICAC on Monday, denying he was a core member of the Reformers despite admitting he supported some of their activities. Greenwood claimed the group became 'toxic' in 2019, leading him to advise members to discontinue their involvement. The investigation, known as Operation Rosny, focuses on whether donations were used for 'branch-stacking'—recruiting or retaining Liberal Party members—which, while not illegal, raises concerns about transparency and influence.

The Reformers, founded by Christian Ellis and Robert Assaf, sought to push conservative policies on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. Greenwood’s connections to the group trace back to 2018, when he worked alongside Ellis in the office of Nationals senator Matt Canavan. Together, they later established the lobbying firm Beckington in 2019, which ICAC alleges was used to conceal political donations under the guise of consulting work. The inquiry has also linked Greenwood to payments from fugitive developer Jean Nassif’s company, Toplace, which allegedly funded Reformers activities. Meanwhile, Catholic Schools NSW has come under scrutiny for potentially funneling funds through Greenwood’s firms to support the faction, with CEO Dallas McInerney expected to testify this week.

Greenwood has repeatedly denied being a member of the Reformers, though he admitted to attending some of their events and supporting their conservative social policies. During his testimony, he downplayed his involvement, stating he was more interested in policy than factional politics. However, ICAC’s counsel assisting, Peggy Dwyer, challenged his claims, presenting evidence that Greenwood assisted the group’s activities in 2019. Greenwood also acknowledged payments to Jean-Claude Perrottet, describing him as his 'favourite friend,' and admitted to a 'commission arrangement' where Perrottet received a portion of retainers from Catholic Schools NSW despite doing no consulting work. The inquiry has also uncovered a fake administrative assistant named 'Jessica,' created by Greenwood and Ellis to sign invoices for Beckington, further complicating the financial trail.

While both ABC and the Guardian agree on the core allegations—including Greenwood’s testimony, the Reformers’ conservative agenda, and the role of Beckington and Catholic Schools NSW—differences emerge in specific details. The Guardian provides more granular financial figures, such as the $12,000 payment to Perrottet and the '10k' mentioned in a March 2021 message from Dallas McInerney. It also highlights Greenwood’s reprimand for an outburst during testimony, which ABC does not report. Additionally, the Guardian notes Greenwood’s admission of a 'commission arrangement' with Perrottet, a detail absent from ABC’s coverage. Both outlets, however, confirm Greenwood’s visits to Ellis in the UK in June and Ellis’s reluctance to testify, though the Guardian emphasizes Ellis’s outright refusal to participate in the inquiry.

The inquiry is expected to continue with Dallas McInerney’s testimony on Wednesday and Thursday this week, shedding further light on Catholic Schools NSW’s alleged role in funding Reformers activities. Greenwood’s lobbying firm, JPG Advisory, was deregistered from the federal lobbyists register on Monday, signaling potential fallout from the investigation. Meanwhile, Christian Ellis’s whereabouts and willingness to testify remain uncertain, with Greenwood insisting Ellis wanted to appear despite ICAC’s claims that he has avoided the process. The unresolved questions include the full extent of the financial transactions, the involvement of other Reformers members, and whether additional prohibited donors were involved in the scheme. As the inquiry progresses, the focus will likely shift to McInerney’s testimony and any further revelations about the Reformers’ funding sources.