The short version
- Damien Tudehope admitted to potentially funding Reformers events while denying knowledge of prohibited donor violations.
- Evidence suggests former staffers used government office time to recruit party members, a practice known as branch stacking.
- Witnesses describe requests for significant sums to challenge sitting Liberal MPs through aggressive membership drives.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales has heard detailed testimony regarding allegations that conservative factional groups solicited or accepted illegal political donations. The inquiry, known as Operation Rosny, focuses on whether these groups engaged in branch stacking to influence party preselections. While branch stacking itself is not illegal, the method of funding such recruitment drives raises serious questions about compliance with electoral laws.
Damien Tudehope, the shadow attorney general and Liberal leader in the upper house, provided evidence while standing aside from his cabinet roles. He was not named in any specific allegations of wrongdoing but has been frequently mentioned during the initial weeks of hearings. Tudehope discussed his interactions with Reformers members Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis, who worked in his electorate and ministerial offices between 2018 and 2019.
Tudehope acknowledged that Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, possessed a distinct ability to recruit and renew party members. He described this talent as essential for any Liberal member seeking to secure their seat during internal preselection processes. Tudehope noted that Perrottet leveraged a wide network of friends to facilitate these recruitment efforts, though he stopped short of characterizing the actions as exploitative.
The inquiry examined a 2018 message in which Jean-Claude Perrottet wrote to other Reformers that senior figures were afraid. Tudehope identified Scott as his former electorate office head but stated he did not recall raising concerns about staff using government hours for party recruitment. He admitted that such issues may have potentially arisen during that period, though no formal complaints were lodged at the time.
Tensions within Tudehope’s office reportedly escalated after a newspaper article highlighted staffers spending ministerial time on recruitment activities contrary to code of conduct guidelines. This incident appears to have precipitated the dismissal of Christian Ellis from his role as a staffer in July 2019, after only three months of employment. Tudehope described his chief of staff reacting strongly to the media exposure.
Financial transactions also came under scrutiny, with evidence showing Tudehope may have contributed funds to Reformers events. Messages indicated he paid for venue costs and a table at a right-faction gathering, suggesting contributions totaling around $5,000. Tudehope admitted these payments but disputed whether they constituted illegal political donations, arguing that the Reformers were not a registered party.
The inquiry also addressed the role of Michael O’Hara, a hotelier and former business partner of Tudehope. O’Hara is alleged to have made prohibited political donations due to his involvement in the liquor and gambling industries. Tudehope accepted that he introduced Reformers members to O’Hara, knowing the businessman was generous and likely to support factional work financially. However, Tudehope strongly denied any intent to expose O’Hara to legal scrutiny, citing the man’s advanced age and health issues.
Retired businessman Frits Maré provided additional context regarding fundraising tactics. He recounted a 2020 meeting where Reformers members asked him for $50,000 to fund a call center operation aimed at unseating Liberal MP Alex Hawke. The goal was to sign up enough new members to challenge Hawke in his seat and vote him out during preselection. Maré described the request as strange, highlighting the aggressive nature of the factional maneuvering.
The hearings continue to explore the intersection of party loyalty, financial compliance, and ethical conduct within New South Wales politics. While no individuals have been formally accused of crimes at this stage, the testimony reveals a complex web of relationships and transactions that challenge standard political funding norms. The commission’s findings could reshape how factions operate and fund their activities in future election cycles.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗‘Scott and Damien are afraid’: senior Liberal quizzed at Icac about former staffer’s message
