Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
A senior staffer for Angus Taylor has been caught on camera sledging a Channel 10 journalist for repeatedly pressing the Opposition Leader on his relationship with a man named in a NSW corruption probe.
The state Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that senior Liberal figures involved in a group called the Reformers solicited, or accepted political donations, including from banned donors, for the recruitment of Liberal Party members.
The commission was told former Catholic Schools NSW employee and ex-Liberal member Dylan Whitelaw sent a message to a Reformers group chat.
“(Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney) has told me he got commitment from Angus for the $15k injection plus a $3k monthly donation!” the text read.
Mr Taylor is not accused of any wrongdoing and has denied making any payments in relation to the Reformers.
He repeated this denial during a tense press conference on Thursday when Channel 10’s Ash Raper claimed Mr Taylor was avoiding her question about whether he ever had a conversation with Mr McInerney about donating.
“I’ve already answered questions on this … I have said all along, I’m not giving a running commentary,” he said.
“No payment was made. I was clear about that.”
After Mr Taylor walked away, footage shows his staffer approaching the reporter to criticise her line of questioning.
“Are your ratings that bad? Seriously, that’s a fricking disgrace,” the staffer said.
“What? Asking questions about an ICAC investigation?” Raper replied.
“Yeah and he’s answered them like 500 times. No wonder (news program 10 News+) got cut,” the staffer fired back.
Raper is a veteran journalist with extensive experience covering NSW politics.
She made headlines herself in 2018 for accusing then NSW Labor leader Luke Foley of sexual harassment, leading to Mr Foley’s resignation.
Mr Foley denied the accusation and has not faced any legal proceedings relating to it.
During the hearing, Mr Whitelaw said he did not recall Mr Taylor making a contribution and conceded “potentially Dallas (McInerney) had told me something that was incorrect”.
“I’d be very surprised if Mr Taylor made any financial contributions,” Mr Whitelaw said last month.
The probe, which will run for eight weeks, is also examining the relationship between fugitive property developer Jean Nassif – including donations allegedly made in pursuit of “damage to the political career of” Liberal MP David Elliott and the removal of Building Commissioner David Chandler – donations from prominent NSW hotelier Michael O’Hara, and donations from Mr McInerney, who has since stood aside.
