Catholic Schools NSW boss sacked after appearance at Icac inquiry into alleged Liberal party corruption
Watchdog investigating whether Dallas McInerney arranged illegal political donations from schools to lobbying companies controlled by the Reformers The chief executive of Catholic Schools New South Wales, Dallas McInerney, has been sacked after appearing at a watchdog inquiry into allegations of corruption in the state’s Liberal party . The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is…
The chief executive of Catholic Schools New South Wales, Dallas McInerney, has been dismissed after testifying before an inquiry into allegations of corruption within the state’s Liberal party. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is examining claims that McInerney arranged and greenlit illicit political donations from the Catholic Schools NSW to lobbying firms controlled by the Reformers, cloaked as consultancy services.
McInerney maintains the $265,900 in payments over four years were for legitimate consulting work. The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) probed whether McInerney facilitated the payments, which he insists were genuine consultancy services. McInerney, a loyal ally of federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, dismissed allegations that a recent message about a plan to "shake down Angus" referred to donations to the Reformers.
Taylor has consistently denied any involvement with the Reformers. The Catholic Schools NSW board unanimously concluded that McInerney's leadership is no longer warranted, leading to the termination of his employment agreement. McInerney, appointed as the inaugural CEO in 2017, maintained he privileged the company's interests over his own and expressed gratitude for his service.
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