Key facts
- Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, has been sacked.
- The termination follows McInerney's appearance at an ICAC inquiry.
- The inquiry is investigating allegations of corruption within the NSW Liberal Party.
- McInerney is accused of arranging and approving illegal political donations from Catholic Schools NSW.
- McInerney denied wiping critical evidence from a work phone and iPad.
- Former NSW Liberal minister David Elliott and MP Eleni Petinos have given evidence.
Dallas McInerney, the chief executive of Catholic Schools New South Wales, has been terminated by the organisation's board following his appearance at an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry. The inquiry is investigating allegations of corruption within the state's Liberal Party, specifically focusing on claims that McInerney arranged and approved illegal political donations from Catholic Schools NSW to lobbying firms linked to the conservative Reformers group, disguised as consultancy services.
McInerney, who had previously stood aside from his role and whose Liberal Party membership was suspended, has maintained that payments totaling $265,900 over four years were for legitimate consulting work. He denied allegations of wiping critical evidence from a work phone and iPad over a weekend, stating the phone wipe was triggered by a banking compromise alert from NAB, and the iPad reset was because he did not expect to return to the company. Counsel assisting the ICAC, Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, suggested this action was a transparent attempt to destroy evidence.
During the inquiry, former NSW Liberal minister David Elliott and NSW Liberal MP Eleni Petinos have provided evidence. Petinos testified about attempts by Liberal operatives to discredit and remove the then-building commissioner, David Chandler. ICAC has also named Liberal operatives Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, and Charles Perrottet, along with fugitive property developer Jean Nassif, in its investigation. Upcoming witnesses include Chris Spence, David Chandler, Charles Perrottet, and Anita Perrottet.
Catholic Schools NSW stated that its board unanimously lost confidence in McInerney's leadership and that the allegations were of "deep concern." The organisation supports an externally conducted review of its operations. Interim CEO Peter Yates will continue in his role during the search for a new CEO.