Senior Liberal steps down after ICAC hearing call
NSW shadow attorney general Damien Tudehope will resign from the front bench after being called as a witness in a corruption investigation into political donations.
The senior Liberal and opposition leader in the province’s upper house said on Friday that the investigation involved several people with whom he had close political ties.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption will begin hearings as part of Operation Rosny from July 27.
One focus of Operation Rosny is the alleged links between controversial property developer Jean Nassif and members of the Liberal Party, including brothers of former Liberal prime minister Dominic Perrottet.
The watchdog will assess whether political donations were received from Nassif and his development company Toplace between 2020 and 2023 in exchange for positive outcomes.
Although Mr Tudehope himself has not been charged with any offence, he said in a statement that he feared his involvement would be a distraction ahead of state elections in March.
“ICAC’s announcement that Operation Rosny will soon begin a public inquiry into allegations of political donations involves a number of people with whom I have had close relationships throughout my political career,” Mr Tudehope said.
“There is no allegation of wrongdoing on my part, and I am not under investigation.
“However, having been called as a witness to the inquiry, which I am more than happy to comply with, I am concerned that my position as shadow attorney general and leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council may be an unnecessary distraction while the public hearings continue.”
Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane had previously questioned the timing of the inquiry, describing it as a “major distraction” damaging to her party.
Mr Tudehope said he spoke to Ms Sloane and accepted her reasons and offered to step aside.
The investigation will also examine political donations made between 2019 and 2023 by figures including former Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney and hotelier Michael O’Hara.
Mr McInerney, a factional ally of federal Liberal leader Angus Taylor, was temporarily sidelined on Thursday over his involvement in the inquiry.
