新南威尔士州独立反腐委员会本周开始就该州自由党保守派派系的违法活动举行公开听证[1]。这项名为"Operation Rosny"的调查针对2019年至2023年间的非法分派系活动，涉及通过非法捐款来招募和推进特定自由党成员的指控[1]。
调查重点包括房地产开发商让·纳西夫涉嫌提供非法捐款以损害前运输部长戴维·埃利奥特职业生涯的问题[1]，以及联邦反对党领袖安格斯·泰勒被指募集秘密资金的指控[1]。据称泰勒曾同意初期支付15000美元，随后每月支付3000美元[1]，但泰勒否认这一说法，声称"没有任何款项被支付"[1]。
保守派自由党派系组织"改革者"的联合创始人罗伯特·阿萨夫作为首位出庭作证的该组织成员，承认成员们"没想到法律适用于我们"[2]。阿萨夫表示，泰勒虽然没有"那么深入参与"该组织工作，但"绝对不反对"[2]。预计该调查还需进行七周的公开听证[1]。
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has commenced public hearings into alleged illegal branch-stacking and fundraising practices within the New South Wales Liberal Party, with the investigation focusing on activities between 2019 and 2023 [1]. The inquiry, dubbed Operation Rosny, centers on accusations that a conservative faction within the party known as the Reformers engaged in unlawful donation schemes to recruit members and advance specific Liberal politicians [1]. The probe is expected to require seven additional weeks of public hearings [1].
Among the key allegations under examination is a claim that real estate developer Jean Nassif provided illegal donations intended to damage the career of former transport minister David Elliott [1]. Additionally, federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor faces scrutiny over claims that party officials sought to raise secret funds from him, with one party member allegedly stating an intention to "shake down Angus for 10K" in March 2021 [1]. According to evidence presented, Taylor purportedly agreed to make an initial payment of $15,000 followed by monthly payments of $3,000 [1]. Taylor has denied these allegations, stating that "no payment was made" [1].
Robert Assaf, a cofounder of the Reformers faction, testified that members of the organization "didn't think the law applied to us" [2]. Assaf characterized Taylor's involvement as not being "that deeply involved" but stated that Taylor was "absolutely not opposed" to the group's activities [2]. The ICAC investigation reflects broader concerns about governance within the NSW Liberal Party, following the 2023 finding that former Premier Gladys Berejiklian engaged in "serious corrupt conduct" during her relationship with Daryl Maguire [1].