澳大利亚新南威尔士州天主教学校管理机构Catholic Schools NSW因被指控挪用资金支持政治活动而面临严重问责。根据独立反腐委员会（ICAC）的调查，该组织涉嫌将16.5万澳元转给右翼自由党操作人员，并在工作时间从事非法政治活动[1]。首席执行官Dallas McInerney因此停职，并定于本周四和周五出庭作证[1]。
Catholic Schools NSW掌管约600所学校的联邦资金拨款，机构年度预算高达3.8亿澳元，来自州政府和联邦政府资金[1]。联邦教育部长Jason Clare对这些指控表示"非常令人担忧"，并指出："如果是在供孩子上学的父母，会很担心钱是去了学校还是政党"[1]。教育工作者联盟新南威尔士及堪培拉分会秘书长Carol Matthews表示，需要加强对资金运用的透明度[1]。
该机构的支出模式也引发关注。2025年度旅行支出达110万澳元，月均约9.2万澳元，而2019年这一数字仅为70万澳元[1]。
Catholic Schools NSW, the body managing approximately 600 schools across New South Wales, faces scrutiny following allegations that AUD $165,000 was diverted to operatives of the right-wing Liberal Party [1]. An independent anti-corruption investigation revealed that the organization engaged in unlawful political activity during work hours [1]. Chief Executive Dallas McInerney has been stood down and is scheduled to give evidence in court on Thursday and Friday [1].
The controversy has prompted demands for greater accountability in how the authority deploys its substantial budget. Catholic Schools NSW distributes approximately $3.8 billion in combined state and federal funding [1]. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare described the allegations as "very concerning," stating: "If you're a parent paying for your child's education, you'd be worried about whether the money goes to schools or political parties" [1]. Carol Matthews, secretary of the Independent Education Union NSW and ACT, called for enhanced transparency in the organization's financial operations [1].
Questions about spending patterns have intensified the scrutiny. Travel expenditure in 2025 has reached $1.1 million, averaging approximately $92,000 monthly, compared to $700,000 for the entire year 2019 [1]. During the same period, the organization's workforce expanded to 52 staff members [1].