Catholic Schools NSW CEO denies device reset cover-up

Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney told the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption on Wednesday that he did not wipe evidence connected to its inquiry into alleged corruption in the New South Wales Liberal Party.

The commission is examining McInerney’s decision to perform a factory reset on his work phone and iPad after he had already given evidence, and while investigators were seeking messages and other communications as part of the inquiry.

Factory reset questioned during ICAC hearing Catholic Schools Factory reset questioned during ICAC hearing Catholic Schools NSW Counsel assisting the commission, Dr. Peggy Dwyer SC, put to McInerney that the factory reset was a deliberate act intended to conceal information the commission considered important. McInerney rejected that allegation, saying the reset was carried out for security reasons and not to interfere with the inquiry. McInerney cites bank alert and prior production of messages McInerney told the commission the reset occurred over a weekend after his bank warned him that an account had been compromised. He described the factory reset as a precaution taken in response to that security warning, rather than an effort to destroy material relevant to the commission’s work. McInerney also said he had already provided the messages requested by the commission before the factory reset took place. ICAC is examining whether any additional communications existed ICAC is examining whether any additional communications existed on the devices and whether the reset impeded its ability to obtain evidence.

Inquiry scope includes alleged donations and lobbying links

The hearing sits within a broader ICAC investigation into allegations that members of a Christian Liberal faction known as the Reformers solicited illegal donations between 2019 and 2023.

Officials are reviewing material related to fundraising and lobbying links tied to that period.

Links to Christian Ellis and contacts with Angus Taylor aired The inquiry also examined McInerney’s professional relationship with lobbyist Christian Ellis and his contacts with federal opposition leader Angus Taylor.

Evidence discussed included communications from 2020 in which McInerney confirmed he was lobbying Taylor to help secure a meeting for Ellis.

Records presented to the commission indicated Catholic Schools NSW paid $265,900 to lobbying firms controlled by Ellis and his associate Jeremy Greenwood during the 2019–2023 period under review.

The payments were raised as part of the commission’s examination of the Reformers’ activities.

Taylor has not been named in the commission’s allegations and has denied involvement in the group’s activities. ICAC’s hearings are continuing.