Taylor denies payments to Liberal group in Icac probe

Taylor denies payments to Liberal group in Icac probe

Opposition leader Angus Taylor insists he made no payments to the conservative Liberal Reformers group, now under Icac investigation. He is not accused of wrongdoing.

Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has firmly denied making any payments to a conservative Liberal faction known as the Reformers, which is currently under investigation by the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac). Speaking to reporters in Queensland on Wednesday, Taylor stated, “No payment was made,” and emphasized that he is not a party to the proceedings.

Background of the Icac Inquiry

The Icac investigation centers on allegations of improper political donations and branch stacking within the NSW Liberal Party, specifically involving the Reformers group. The group, which advocates for conservative policies on same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia, has been accused of attempting to influence internal party elections. Taylor was mentioned in testimony on Tuesday when former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw was shown a text message allegedly referencing a request to “shake down Angus for 10k.” Whitelaw confirmed he believed “Angus” referred to Angus Taylor.

Taylor Denies Payments
Taylor Denies Payments

Taylor's Statements

During the press conference, Taylor declined to provide a running commentary on the inquiry, reiterating that he has not been approached by the commission. “I’m not going to give a running commentary on all of this. I’m not a party to the proceedings, but no payment was made,” he said. When asked if he would appear as a witness, Taylor stated that no such request had been made and he would not discuss hypotheticals. A spokesperson for Taylor earlier said the leader was “not a party to the matters before the commission, nor has he been approached,” and called for the process to proceed without political interference.

Text Messages and Denials

The inquiry heard a series of messages exchanged among Reformers members in March 2021. One message from Robert Assaf, a group member, read: “I have breakfast club with ministers this Thursday morning, who can I get an update from? Re SCD progress … I want to shake down Angus for 10k.” Whitelaw said that “SCD progress” referred to the group’s efforts to elect conservative members to the NSW Liberals state council. Another message, attributed to Whitelaw, claimed: “Dallas has told me he got the commitment from Angus, the 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation!” However, Whitelaw testified he did not recall sending that message and would be “very surprised” if Taylor had made any contribution, suggesting the information might have been incorrect.

Payments Liberal Group
Payments Liberal Group

Political Reactions

Fellow Liberal politicians have closed ranks around Taylor. Deputy Liberal leader Senator Jane Hume declined to comment on the proceedings, deferring to Taylor’s statement and the fact that he is not a party to the inquiry. The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the Liberal Party, which is already facing scrutiny over internal factionalism and donation practices. Observers note that the Icac investigation could have broader implications for transparency in political financing.

Looking Ahead

The Icac hearings are ongoing, and further witnesses may be called. Taylor has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and his office has stated that all donations and fundraising activities are declared according to the rules. The outcome of the investigation could impact public trust in the political process, as well as the leadership dynamics within the Liberal Party.