澳大利亚独立反腐委员会（ICAC）的调查指控新南威尔士州天主教学校系统负责人Dallas McInerney挪用165,000澳元的组织资金作为未申报的政治捐款，用于支持自由党内部派系活动[1]。该指控涉及公共教育资金被挪作政治用途，在透明度和问责制方面引发严重质疑。
天主教学校新南威尔士州至少有两名工作人员利用工作时间从事政治活动[1]。根据调查所示，该学校系统每年获得近40亿澳元的政府资金，约占该部门收入的80%，此外还从学费中募集约5.5亿澳元[1]。ICAC首席律师Peggy Dwyer SC表示，并未暗示天主教学校新南威尔士州作为机构对McInerney的指控行为负责[1]。
An investigation by Australia's independent anti-corruption commission has uncovered allegations that Dallas McInerney, a leader within New South Wales's Catholic school system, diverted AUD $165,000 in organizational funds toward undeclared political donations supporting factional activities within the Liberal Party [1]. The probe revealed that at least two staff members at Catholic Schools NSW engaged in political activities during work hours [1].
The incident raises significant questions about financial accountability in religiously-affiliated educational institutions. Catholic Schools NSW receives approximately AUD $4 billion annually in government funding, representing roughly 80 percent of the organization's total revenue, while generating an additional AUD $5.5 billion yearly from student fees [1]. Despite receiving substantial public resources, the school system has faced scrutiny over transparency and oversight mechanisms governing how these funds are deployed [1].
The investigation's lead counsel, Peggy Dwyer SC, clarified that the allegations do not imply Catholic Schools NSW as an institution bears responsibility for McInerney's alleged conduct [1]. The case underscores ongoing debates about governance standards and public accountability requirements for religious organizations administering publicly-funded education in Australia, particularly given a 1981 High Court ruling that confirmed federal funding of religious school providers does not violate constitutional protections [1].