Arabic version: الرئيس التنفيذي لمدارس الكاثوليك في نيو ساوث ويلز يتنحى مؤقتًا خلال تحقيق ICAC

Dallas McInerney, the CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, has stood aside as he is implicated in a corruption probe concerning political donations to the New South Wales Liberal Party. According to ABC News, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating claims that McInerney arranged undeclared donations exceeding legal limits as part of a branch-stacking scheme.

In light of the ongoing investigation, Catholic Schools NSW announced that McInerney will not engage in his usual duties while interim governance arrangements are put in place. The organization emphasized its respect for the ICAC’s role and its commitment to addressing the issues raised by the commission thoroughly.

The ICAC’s Operation Rosny has identified multiple individuals involved in allegedly seeking improper donations intended for recruiting or renewing memberships in the NSW Liberal Party. Notably, the investigation names five individuals, including former Premier Dominic Perrottet and his brothers, who are accused of various breaches related to political fundraising.

Political leaders in the state have responded by moving to suspend members implicated in the inquiry. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane stated that the allegations do not align with the standards expected within the party and expressed her support for the investigation. NSW Premier Chris Minns also indicated that members of the Labor Party implicated in the inquiry would be suspended pending the investigation’s outcome.

The ICAC plans to conduct eight weeks of public hearings starting July 27 to gather evidence for this extensive investigation, which has been described as one of the largest undertaken by the commission. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of these allegations on public confidence in the major political parties involved.