天主教学校NSW首席执行官Dallas McInerney在澳大利亚独立反腐委员会(ICAC)听证会上为与政府关系公司Beckington的合同进行辩护，宣称已进行了必要的尽职调查[1]。然而，听证会证据显示，McInerney签署的合同涉及的澳大利亚商业编号(ABN)实际上属于Beckington创始人Ellis的妹妹Dr Samantha Ellis，而非该咨询公司本身[1]。
ICAC的调查焦点在于这笔资金的最终流向[1]。有证据表明，这些款项可能被用来资助自由党右翼派系Reformers[1]。Dylan Whitelaw作为Reformers的关键成员，曾在Catholic Schools NSW和Beckington两家机构任职[1]。Beckington公司在2019年成为Catholic Schools NSW的首个客户，合同期限约为1.5至2年[1]。McInerney否认这笔资金被挪作他用[1]。
关于终止与Beckington合作的原因，McInerney称是因为Ellis"改变了住所"[1]。此外，Robert Assaf声称，McInerney与Jeremy Greenwood在ICAC听证前会面讨论证词，但McInerney对此予以否认[1]。
Dallas McInerney, chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, defended his organization's contract with government relations firm Beckington during an Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing, claiming he had conducted proper due diligence.[1] However, evidence presented at the inquiry revealed that the ABN (Australian Business Number) provided by Beckington consultant Ellis actually belonged to his sister, Dr Samantha Ellis, rather than the consulting company itself.[1]
The controversy centers on whether funds flowing through the contract were diverted to support the Reformers, a Liberal Party right-wing faction.[1] Dylan Whitelaw, identified as a key member of Reformers, previously worked at both Catholic Schools NSW and Beckington.[1] McInerney became Beckington's first client in 2019 under a contract lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 years.[1] When asked why the arrangement ended, McInerney stated that Ellis had "changed his residence".[1] McInerney denied that the funds were misappropriated for other purposes.[1]
During the hearing, witness Robert Assaf claimed McInerney met with Jeremy Greenwood before the ICAC proceedings to discuss their testimony, an allegation McInerney rejected.[1]