Hotelier Regrets Funding NSW Liberal ‘Reformers’ After ‘Woke’ Shift

Hotelier Michael O’Hara told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Tuesday that he had stopped funding the NSW Liberal ‘Reformers’ faction after concluding that then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison and then-NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet had “gone woke.” O’Hara, who was giving evidence on the second day of Icac’s Operation Rosny hearings, stated that he was now “disgusted” by the scheme and admitted that he had “made a mistake” by supporting the group. The hearings are investigating allegations of corruption against individuals associated with the NSW Liberal party, focusing on claims that the ‘Reformers’ sought to move the party further to the right.

O’Hara’s testimony detailed his disillusionment with the direction of the Liberal party under Morrison and Perrottet, whom he perceived as deviating from conservative principles. This perception led him to withdraw financial support from the ‘Reformers,’ a faction he had previously backed with the intention of influencing the party’s ideological stance. The Icac investigation, specifically Operation Rosny, is examining alleged prohibited donations and the solicitation of such donations by individuals connected to the NSW Liberal party. The commission is scrutinizing the financial dealings and internal party dynamics that may have breached electoral funding laws or involved corrupt conduct.

The ‘Reformers’ faction within the NSW Liberal party is understood to be a group advocating for a more conservative platform. O’Hara’s decision to cease funding suggests a significant shift in his political alignment or a profound disagreement with the perceived ideological drift of the party's leadership. His admission of regret and acknowledgement of a mistake indicates a potential re-evaluation of his involvement in the alleged donation scheme. The Icac’s inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of these alleged improprieties and to determine whether any laws were broken or if corrupt practices were employed within the party’s operations.

Operation Rosny is a significant investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, a statutory body in New South Wales, Australia, tasked with preventing, investigating, and exposing corruption. The hearings are designed to gather evidence and testimony from key individuals involved in the alleged financial irregularities. The focus on Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet, former leaders of the federal and NSW Liberal parties respectively, highlights the potential impact of these allegations on the broader Liberal party. O’Hara’s testimony provides a direct account of a donor’s motivations and subsequent change of heart, offering insight into the internal politics and financial flows within the NSW Liberal party.