The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has initiated a public inquiry into allegations involving the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division). The investigation, known as Operation Rosny, commenced on July 27, 2026, and is set to run for eight weeks. It focuses on potential breaches of the Electoral Funding Act and other related matters.
The inquiry examines several key allegations:
1. Between 2019 and 2023, individuals associated with the Liberal Party, including Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet, are accused of soliciting or accepting political donations from prohibited donors. These donations were allegedly undeclared, exceeded legal caps, and were used to recruit or renew party members—a practice known as "branch stacking."
2. Catholic Schools NSW, under the leadership of CEO Dallas McInerney, is alleged to have made political donations without proper disclosure and beyond permissible limits. These funds were purportedly used to support the recruitment and renewal of Liberal Party members.
3. Property developer Jean Nassif and his company, Toplace, are under scrutiny for making donations in exchange for favorable outcomes, despite being prohibited from donating as a property developer.
The inquiry also investigates whether former Strathfield Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and current councillor Karen Pensabene engaged in activities such as spying and blackmail against fellow councillor Matthew Blackmore.
The ICAC's investigation aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring compliance with donation laws and preventing undue influence in political party operations. The public hearings are expected to shed light on the extent of these alleged practices and their impact on the political landscape.
As the inquiry progresses, the public and political observers will be closely watching for developments that may lead to legal actions or reforms in electoral funding regulations.