澳大利亚自由党主席托尼·艾博特为盟友安格斯·泰勒进行了辩护，声称独立反腐委员会(ICAC)正在处理党内派系纠纷 [1]。艾博特表示，该调查"涉及没有任何意义上腐败的内部党派纠纷" [1]。同时，议员简·休姆主张泰勒"不是ICAC所指事项的任何一方" [1]。
ICAC的调查聚焦于天主教学校负责人达拉斯·麦金尼通过游说公司向右翼Reformers团体转移资金的行为 [1]。根据调查发现，麦金尼曾发送信息表示计划"向安格斯索取1万美元" [1]。另一证人则声称麦金尼曾吹嘘从泰勒获得1.5万美元的承诺 [1]。对此，泰勒坚持他未进行任何支付 [1]。
调查还涉及开发商让·纳西夫向右翼派系自由党运营者支付了200万美元，旨在影响州政府和地方议会的规划决定 [1]。ICAC的听证会预计还将进行七周 [1]。新南威尔士州选举定于3月举行 [1]。
Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott has defended his ally Angus Taylor against an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation, characterizing the ICAC's examination of illegal fundraising by the Reformers faction as an internal party squabble rather than a corruption matter.[1] Abbott stated that the inquiry involves "internal party disputes that in no meaningful sense constitute corruption."[1]
The ICAC's public hearing centers on allegations that Dallas McInerney, a Catholic school principal, funneled funds through a lobbying company to the right-wing Reformers faction within the Liberal Party.[1] Communications obtained by the commission show McInerney discussing plans to "shake down Angus for 10k," according to evidence presented.[1] Another witness has claimed McInerney boasted of securing a $15,000 commitment from Taylor, though Taylor maintains he made no such payment.[1] Federal MP Jane Hume has asserted that Taylor "is not a party to any of the matters which ICAC is investigating."[1]
The inquiry also encompasses a separate allegation involving developer Jean Nassif, who is accused of paying $2 million to right-wing factional operators within the Liberal Party to influence state government and local council planning decisions.[1] The ICAC proceedings are expected to continue for another seven weeks,[1] as New South Wales heads toward a state election scheduled for March.[1]