NSW Liberal Tudehope Testifies on Branch-Stacking Probe Involving Perrottet Brother
Damien Tudehope, NSW shadow attorney-general, appeared before ICAC to discuss alleged branch-stacking and donation activities linked to Jean-Claude Perrottet and the Reformers faction.
During a session of the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s Operation Rosny, Damien Tudehope, NSW shadow attorney-general and former finance minister, was questioned about the Reformers right-faction’s conduct. He described Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, as adept at enlisting new Liberal members, a skill he deemed vital for preselection battles. Tudehope could not recall any objections to Perrottet using electorate-office resources for recruitment, but noted a 2018 internal note stating "Scott and Damien are afraid."
He admitted he may have made payments to the Reformers, including a $5,000 table fee, and that he introduced the faction to hotelier Michael O’Hara, who is prohibited from donating due to his liquor and gambling ties. Witnesses recounted a 2020 solicitation of $50,000 to run a call-centre aimed at ousting Liberal MP Alex Hawke, which was declined. Tudehope has stepped aside from his shadow cabinet duties but faces no formal accusations. The commission’s investigation into potential illegal donations continues.
Why it matters
The hearing could expose how factional fundraising and member recruitment affect NSW politics and test compliance with donation laws.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage zeroes in on Tudehope’s admissions about payments and the Perrottet brother’s role in recruiting members, while centrist coverage situates the testimony within a wider ICAC probe that casts the opposition leader’s team into the election spotlight.
LEFT
Exposes internal faction payments and recruitment tactics linked to the Perrottet brother
CENTER
Places the testimony in a broader ICAC investigation that highlights the opposition leader’s team ahead of the election
The left emphasises
- Tudehope admitted he may have made payments to the Reformers, including a $5,000 table fee
- He described Jean-Claude Perrottet as adept at enlisting new Liberal members, a skill vital for preselection battles
- He could not recall any objections to Perrottet using electorate-office resources for recruitment
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