Key facts
- ICAC is investigating undeclared political donations to the NSW Liberal party's Reformers faction.
- A document titled 'David Elliot shit sheet.docx' was presented as evidence.
- Dylan Whitelaw testified he compiled the document, including unflattering information about David Elliott.
- Allegations of payments from developers and hoteliers to the Reformers are under scrutiny.
- Text messages suggest federal opposition leader Angus Taylor may have been asked for financial contributions.
The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has uncovered a document, colloquially termed a 'shit sheet,' which details internal factional disputes within the NSW Liberal party. The document, compiled by Dylan Whitelaw, contains unflattering information about former NSW police minister David Elliott, including references to past controversies and alleged personal matters. Whitelaw testified that the document was a product of 'standard factional warfare' within the party, driven by animosity between the right wing and the centre-right factions.
ICAC is investigating allegations that members of the Reformers, a secretive right-wing sub-faction of the NSW Liberals, accepted undeclared political donations from banned donors such as developers and hoteliers, and in amounts exceeding legal caps. Evidence presented suggests significant sums were involved, including $260,000 from Catholic Schools NSW and over $150,000 from hotelier Michael O’Hara. Fugitive developer Jean Nassif is also alleged to have paid $2 million to key players, purportedly to influence the removal of building commissioner David Chandler and critics of his developments.
Further revelations include an alleged smear campaign against David Chandler, involving an unflattering video that Whitelaw stated was given to Liberal MP Eleni Petinos. Text messages presented to ICAC also suggest federal opposition leader Angus Taylor was asked to contribute financially to the Reformers, a claim Taylor denies, stating no payment was made. The commission is also examining increased payments made by Catholic Schools NSW to a PR company owned by Reformers around the time these financial discussions were occurring.