Senior politicians supported young NSW Liberal power brokers trying to shift party to right, corruption watchdog hears

So-called ‘Reformers’ hosted recruitment functions with speakers including Tony Abbott and Alan Jones Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Senior politicians in the New South Wales Liberal party supported the work of a group of young conservative power brokers who sought to take control of the party and move it towards the right, the corruption watchdog has heard. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) began its Operation Rosny hearings into allegations of corruption against people associated with the NSW Liberal party on Monday. It is investigating three allegations, including that Liberal figures “solicited or accepted” donations, including from prohibited donors, in amounts which were undeclared or exceeded caps, to recruit or renew members to the party – a practice known as “branch stacking”. In her opening statement, the counsel assisting the commission, Peggy Dwyer SC, said this “core group” of young Liberal staffers and lobbyists who called themselves the “Reformers” included lobbyist Christian Ellis, consultant Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of former Li