Weeks of public hearings by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) have focused on the alleged machinations of the Reformers, a conservative faction within the New South Wales Liberal Party that emerged between 2018 and 2021. However, insiders suggest that despite the extensive scrutiny, the faction achieved minimal political success and failed to secure any significant power within the party.
The ICAC investigation centers on claims that a network of young Liberal operatives used fundraising, employment, and consultancy arrangements to advance the Reformers' interests. Allegations include payments channeled through organizations like Catholic Schools NSW, potentially breaching donation caps or going undisclosed. These claims are contested, and no findings have been made.
Commentary surrounding the inquiry has sometimes portrayed the Reformers as a dominant force. Yet, according to party insiders, this narrative diverges from the faction's actual political standing during its existence. The Reformers reportedly struggled to gain control of the party's organizational, parliamentary, or federal power bases. During this period, the party presidency remained under the control of the Moderate faction, with figures such as Phillip Ruddock, Maria Kovacic, Jason Falinski, and Don Harwin holding the position. The Reformers also failed to gain control of the party's administrative machinery.
Even influence within the Young Liberals is considered overstated. Jean-Claude Perrottet, a principal organizer for the Reformers and younger brother of former Premier Dominic Perrottet, became Young Liberal secretary in 2021 as part of a broader alliance, not a Reformer takeover. The executive leadership largely remained with Moderates and their allies.
The inquiry has also detailed the faction's alleged efforts to build its numbers, including a proposed phone-banking operation to recruit new Liberal members. This approach, which would have involved paying organizers, contrasted with traditional methods like campus politics, campaign work, and social events.
Parliamentary and Federal Influence
In the parliamentary wing, the Reformers' ambitions faced significant hurdles. For most of the faction's existence, Gladys Berejiklian, a leading Moderate, served as Premier and Liberal leader. Her government's success in passing abortion law reform in 2019, despite conservative lobbying and attempts by Reformer-aligned MP Tanya Davies to have the motion condemned, highlighted the Reformers' limited sway. Even Dominic Perrottet's ascent to the premiership in 2021 was supported by substantial Moderate backing, maintaining the existing factional balance in government. Since the Coalition's defeat in 2023, both Mark Speakman and Kellie Sloane, who lead the parliamentary party, have emerged from the Moderate faction.
Federal influence was also limited. During the Reformers' rise and fall, Scott Morrison led the federal Liberal Party, with strong backing from Alex Hawke, a prominent opponent of the group. Attempts to unseat Hawke as the MP for Mitchell ultimately failed.
Electoral and Pre-selection Record
The Reformers' record in pre-selections was described as underwhelming. Noel McCoy, a significant political project for the faction, was backed for the seat of Castle Hill following a redistribution. However, his candidacy was blocked by the party's Nomination Review Committee, reportedly due to his vaccination views and criticism of the Berejiklian government's COVID-19 handling. The inquiry also heard allegations of a dossier compiled to damage former minister David Elliott, though this campaign reportedly had little impact.
Limited Major Achievements
Beyond scattered branch wins and occasional factional successes, the Reformers' tangible achievements were minimal. Their most notable action was facilitating the removal of veteran Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells from the NSW Senate ticket in favor of the late Jim Molan before the 2022 federal election. Fierravanti-Wells publicly criticized Morrison, Hawke, and factional figures she believed orchestrated her political demise. However, this success proved short-lived, as Molan died less than a year later and was replaced by Maria Kovacic, a Moderate with strong party establishment ties. Currently, the majority of the NSW Liberal Senate team comprises Moderates, with only one Senator from the right faction. The Reformers' efforts did not yield lasting factional benefits, leaving the Liberal Right on the sidelines in federal representation.
The central irony, according to insiders, is that despite the efforts in fundraising, member recruitment, and political maneuvering, the Reformers' overall political impact was minimal. They failed to capture party organization, reshape the parliamentary wing, or establish a lasting federal foothold. Instead, their legacy has become tied to their prominent role in the ICAC inquiry.