Reformers were ‘spectacularly unsuccessful’ in taking over NSW Liberals, Catholic schools boss says
Summary
A leader from Catholic Schools NSW told a corruption inquiry that a group called the Reformers, who wanted to influence the New South Wales (NSW) Liberal Party with conservative Christian ideas, were not successful in their goals. The inquiry is investigating if Catholic Schools NSW arranged illegal political donations to support this group’s efforts to take control of the party.Key Facts
- Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, said the Reformers’ plan to take over the NSW Liberal Party did not work.
- The Reformers aimed to promote conservative views on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia.
- A plan was made to recruit 5,000 Christian conservatives to join the NSW Liberal party branches.
- The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating possible illegal political donations made by Catholic Schools NSW for branch stacking.
- Catholic Schools NSW receives about 80% of its $3.8 billion funding from federal and state governments.
- The organization paid over $260,000 to two lobbying firms linked to Reformers members from 2019 to 2023.
- McInerney joined the Liberal Party in the late 1980s or early 1990s and remained a member until 2024.
- McInerney and other members of the Liberal Party's right faction spoke at Reformers events, but not all members fully supported the group’s efforts.
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