Key Takeaways
- Former Liberal finance minister Damien Tudehope was questioned by Icac.
- The questioning occurred during his examination on Tuesday afternoon.
- Tudehope was shown an email he sent in February 2023 with a leaked draft report.
During his examination before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), former Liberal finance minister Damien Tudehope faced unexpected scrutiny. At 3:30pm on Tuesday, ICAC counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer presented Tudehope with an email he had sent in February 2023.
The email contained a leaked draft parliamentary report into branch stacking in the Hills area, which is central to ICAC’s ongoing Operation Rosny. This development came as a surprise during what was otherwise a routine questioning session.
Tudehope's involvement with the Reformers, described as a shadowy group at the heart of the investigation, has been a focal point for the inquiry. The leaked report suggests that Tudehope may have had prior knowledge or involvement in matters related to branch stacking.
ICAC counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer’s intervention was particularly noteworthy, given her role in ensuring transparency and accountability within government operations. Her questioning underscored the seriousness of the allegations against Tudehope.
The email presented to Tudehope highlighted a potential breach of confidentiality or misuse of information. The leaked report contained sensitive details about parliamentary proceedings that were not intended for public release.
Tudehope’s response during the examination was brief, but his demeanor suggested he was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. He did not provide any additional comments beyond acknowledging receipt of the email and its contents.
ICAC’s investigation into branch stacking in the Hills area has been ongoing for some time, with several high-profile figures already under scrutiny. The questioning of Tudehope marks a significant development as it implicates him directly in the leak of sensitive information.
