Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney has denied that payments made by the organisation to consultants were used to fund Liberal Party factional activity, during two days of evidence before the NSW corruption watchdog.
McInerney appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption on 13 and 14 August as part of Operation Rosny, confirming he had temporarily stepped aside as CEO for the duration of the eight-week public inquiry.
The inquiry is examining, among other matters, allegations regarding payments made by Catholic Schools NSW and whether money ultimately supported Liberal Party recruitment and activity associated with a group of young members known as the Reformers.
The Reformers organised events aimed at attracting like-minded conservatives to the Liberal Party and recruiting new members. McInerney told the inquiry he knew of the group’s activities and had supported its goal of holding public meetings that included a recruitment element.
The allegations remain under investigation and no findings have yet been made.
During questioning, counsel assisting the inquiry, Juliet Curtin, put to McInerney that payments to consultancy Beckington Group were used to fund Reformers activity rather than legitimate work for Catholic Schools NSW.
McInerney rejected the allegation, and said the consultancy was engaged to provide genuine public affairs and government relations services. The inquiry heard Catholic Schools NSW paid Beckington about $130,000 between August 2019 and August 2021.
McInerney also acknowledged his longstanding involvement in the NSW Liberal Party and its right faction, and his familiarity with the Reformers and their work recruiting members to the party.
He accepted that his interests on behalf of the faction aligned with those of the Reformers during 2020 and 2021. But he denied Catholic Schools NSW money was used to support their activities.
McInerney is due to return to the inquiry on 19 August for further questioning.
Operation Rosny remains an ongoing ICAC investigation. The allegations have not been proven and the Commission has made no findings against Mr McInerney.
