Dallas McInerney, the former chief executive of Catholic Schools New South Wales, was dismissed from his role this week following his appearance at a public inquiry held by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The commission is currently investigating allegations of corruption involving the Liberal Party of Australia.

According to the inquiry, McInerney is accused of orchestrating and approving illegal political donations. The allegations suggest that funds from Catholic Schools NSW were funneled to lobbying companies associated with 'the Reformers,' a conservative faction within the Liberal Party. These payments were reportedly documented as consultancy services to mask their true purpose. McInerney provided evidence to the commission over the course of two weeks prior to his termination. Following the revelations, his membership in the Liberal Party has been suspended.

The board of Catholic Schools NSW has not yet provided a detailed public statement regarding the specific internal processes that led to the decision to terminate his employment, though the move follows intense public scrutiny stemming from the ongoing ICAC proceedings. The inquiry continues to examine the extent of the alleged financial impropriety and whether other individuals within the organization or the political party were aware of or involved in the arrangement. As the investigation remains active, the focus has shifted toward the governance structures that allowed such transactions to occur without immediate detection.