The Dark Underbelly of NSW Liberal Politics

The recent revelation that five current Liberal MPs supported a factional deal to install new councillors in the Hills Shire Council has raised more questions than answers about the inner workings of the party. No one has been accused of wrongdoing, but the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) Operation Rosny inquiry is likely to expose the Liberals’ internal machinations.

The factional deal, which bypassed preselection and installed new councillors who would support property developer Jean Nassif’s future development applications, was voted on by five current MPs: Chris Rath, James Wallace, Jacqui Munro, Mark Coure, and Aileen MacDonald. Despite their denials of any wrongdoing, the involvement of these high-profile politicians in a decision that has sparked a corruption probe is a stark reminder of the party’s deep-seated factionalism.

The ICAC inquiry will investigate the complex web of relationships between Liberal powerbrokers, councils, and developers, with Ellis, one of Nassif’s key associates, at its center. The list of persons of interest includes 10 individuals, including Michael O’Hara, a publican, lawyer, and developer who will be the first witness to testify before the inquiry on Monday.

This saga has been unfolding for years, with senior Liberal members expressing concerns about Ellis’s links to Nassif as far back as 2019. The party’s failure to act on these warnings raises questions about its ability to police itself and prevent corruption from taking root within its ranks.

The ICAC inquiry is not just a probe into the actions of individual politicians; it’s also an opportunity for the people of NSW to see the inner workings of their government up close. It will be a painful exercise, but one that may ultimately lead to reforms and greater transparency in the party’s decision-making processes.

The Culture of Factionalism

The factional deal at the heart of the ICAC inquiry is just one manifestation of a deeper cultural problem within the NSW Liberal Party. For years, the party has been plagued by infighting between its hard-right and moderate factions, each accusing the other of using underhanded tactics to gain an advantage.

This culture of factionalism has created an environment where politicians are more focused on advancing their own interests than serving the public interest. It’s a toxic mix that breeds corruption, cronyism, and abuse of power.

The Legacy of Perrottet and Berejiklian

The involvement of former Premier Dominic Perrottet and his successor Gladys Berejiklian in this saga raises questions about their leadership styles and willingness to confront factionalism within the party. Both have denied any wrongdoing, but their roles in facilitating the factional deal and ignoring warnings about Ellis’s links to Nassif are a stark reminder of the need for stronger leadership.

The Stakes

The ICAC inquiry has the potential to be a watershed moment for the NSW Liberal Party. If the party emerges from this process with its reputation intact, it will have demonstrated that it can police itself and prevent corruption from taking root within its ranks. But if not, the consequences could be dire: the party’s standing in the community could plummet, and its ability to govern effectively could be compromised.

As the ICAC inquiry gets underway, one thing is certain: the people of NSW will be watching with great interest. They deserve transparency and accountability from their government, and it’s time for the Liberal Party to deliver on these promises. The stakes are high, but so is the potential reward: if the party can emerge from this process with its reputation intact and a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability, it may just find itself on the path to redemption.