NSW Liberal 'Reformers' Caught in ICAC Crosshairs Over Alleged Law-Bending Tactics

A co-founder of the New South Wales Liberal Party 'Reformers' faction, Robert Assaf, recently dropped a bombshell at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry, stating his group 'didn't think the law applied to us' regarding political fundraising. This candid admission cuts to the heart of Operation Rosny, a high-stakes probe into allegations that the conservative faction engaged in systemic branch stacking and accepted prohibited donations to gain influence within the party. The ICAC Operation Rosny is digging deep into how the Reformers, including figures like Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis, allegedly solicited undeclared funds from prohibited donor such as property developer Jean Nassif and hotelier Michael O'Hara, to pay for new party memberships. Their stated goal was to shift the NSW Liberal Party further to the right, impacting policy on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion, and influencing candidate pre-selections. Even federal opposition leader Angus Taylor has been drawn into the inquiry, with text messages suggesting he was asked for donations, though he denies making any payments. As the ICAC hearings continue for several more weeks, the outcomes could bring criminal charges for those involved and significantly reshape the NSW Liberal Party internal dynamics, potentially impacting its standing in future state elections. The inquiry highlights critical questions about transparency in political donations and the regulatory oversight of internal party power blocs in Australian politics, sparking a broader conversation about how influence is bought and sold.