{
  "id": 7345299,
  "title": "How Icac turned into the ‘best show in town’ – Full Story podcast",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/how-icac-turned-into-the-best-show-in-town-full-story-podcast",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T15:00:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2026/sep/14/how-icac-turned-into-the-best-show-in-town-full-story-podcast-ntwnfb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent investigation conducted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales, allegations of Liberal party branch stacking and illegal donations have come to light. The hearings have revealed a bitter ideological political war rarely seen outside of private conversations. Guardian Australia's Anne Davies has been reporting on the inquiry and describes it as \"the best show in town.\"\n\nDuring the hearings, a parade of conservative young Liberal party figures have faced \"scalpel-like\" questioning from ICAC barrister Peggy Dwyer. Reged Ahmad spoke with Davies about the significance of the investigation, which is set to conclude this week.\n\nOne of the allegations involves Sydney mayor who allegedly threatened and had children secretly recorded after he refused to step down. ICAC heard from a Liberal operative who said that requesting a wire before a meeting was considered a \"silly comment.\"\n\nAdditionally, ICAC heard discussions among Liberal operatives about whether to purchase a Porsche or a Ferrari using payments from a developer. The inquiry has shed light on the alleged corruption and misconduct within the Liberal party, making it a compelling story for the public to follow.",
  "summary": "This Independent Commission Against Corruption has spent eight weeks investigating allegations of Liberal party branch stacking and illegal donations in New South Wales, with hearings revealing an ideological political war rarely seen outside meeting rooms or private conversations. Guardian Australia’s Anne Davies has been following the inquiry, joining a packed public gallery to watch a ‘parade’…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "National Post",
        "title": "How Conservatives can get their groove back: Full Comment podcast",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/how-conservatives-can-get-their-groove-back-full-comment-podcast",
        "published": "2026-09-14T13:45:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}