Catholic Schools NSW chief denies political funding allegations

Dallas McInerney, the chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, has denied allegations that organization funds were used to support Liberal Party factional activities during testimony before the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

As part of the ICAC’s Operation Rosny, McInerney appeared for a two-day inquiry on August 13 and 14. He has temporarily stepped aside as CEO for the duration of the eight-week public investigation. The inquiry is examining whether payments made by Catholic Schools NSW to the consultancy Beckington Group—totaling approximately $130,000 between August 2019 and August 2021—were used to fund the activities of the ‘Reformers,’ a group of young conservative members within the Liberal Party.

McInerney rejected claims that the consultancy fees were diverted from legitimate work, asserting they were for genuine public affairs and government relations services. While he acknowledged his longstanding involvement with the Liberal Party’s right faction and noted that his interests aligned with the Reformers during 2020 and 2021, he maintained that Catholic Schools NSW funds were not used for political recruitment.