‘Loss of confidence’: Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney sacked amid ICAC probe

Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney has been sacked days after giving evidence before the state’s anti-corruption watchdog.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption is looking into allegations Mr McInerney breached electoral funding laws by channelling funds through the peak school body to a secretive faction of the NSW Liberal Party seeking to bolster conservative and Christian voices in the party through branch stacking.

In a statement, the board of Catholic Schools NSW said it had “unanimously determined” that it had lost confidence in “Dallas McInerney’s ability to lead the organisation into the future”.

“As such, the board has now terminated Mr McInerney’s employment agreement with Catholic Schools NSW,” they said.

Mr McInerney had stepped down after being named in the ICAC probe earlier this year.

Catholic Schools NSW said interim chief executive Peter Yates would remain on an interim basis until a new chief executive was found.

The organisation acknowledged that in her opening address, counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC indicated there was no suggestion Catholic Schools NSW was responsible for the conduct being investigated, or that members of the board were aware of Mr McInerney’s alleged actions.

“The matters that are the subject of the inquiry are, though, of deep concern to CSNSW and to its key stakeholders,” the statement said.

“The board will work constructively with them to ensure there is an externally conducted review of CSNSW’s operations.”

Catholic Schools NSW represents 594 Catholic schools, educating about 274,000 students in NSW.

The ICAC probe has been told multiple people – including former Reformers associated Dylan Whitelaw, who is not named in the probe – had done factional work while employed by Catholic Schools NSW.

At the outset of his evidence, Mr McInerney indicated he wish to co-operate with the probe and to clear his name of any wrongdoing.

Originally published as ‘Loss of confidence’: Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney sacked amid ICAC probe