- Staffer criticises Network Ten reporter
- Taylor asked about links to ongoing ICAC inquiry
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Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s media chief was caught on a hot mic criticising a Network 10 journalist’s questions as a ‘fricking disgrace’.
Taylor’s media director Kane Silom was filmed on Thursday challenging political editor Ashleigh Raper’s questioning about the ongoing NSW ICAC investigation into a Liberal faction.
After the press conference ended, Silom approached Raper and challenged her line of questioning.
‘Are your ratings that bad? Seriously, that’s a fricking disgrace,’ Silom said.
‘What? Asking questions about an ICAC inquiry?’ Raper replied.
‘Yeah, and he’s answered them, like, 500 times,’ Silom said. But Raper responded that Taylor has ‘not answered a single question’.
Silom said: ‘No wonder 10 Plus got cut.’
The exchange came after Raper repeatedly pressed Taylor over allegations being examined by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The corruption watchdog is investigating whether a series of consulting agreements involving Catholic Schools NSW and firms tied to Liberal Party figures masked political donations under the guise of consultancy work.
Kane Silom (pictured) called Raper’s questions a ‘fricken joke’ and criticised Network 10
Raper (pictured) the political editor at Network Ten, asked Taylor about the ICAC hearings
A number of the witnesses and persons of interest have ties to Taylor’s Right faction of the NSW Liberal Party.
ICAC has not accused Taylor of any wrongdoing or misconduct, and the Opposition Leader has not been summoned as a witness.
Raper asked Taylor whether he had ever discussed providing $15,000 and then monthly payments of $3,000 for Liberal Party work with Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney.
‘Mr Taylor, have you ever had a conversation with Dallas McInerney about providing $15,000 and then $3,000 in monthly donations for Liberal Party work?’ Raper asked.
‘Look, I’ve already commented on this, so I’m not going to give running commentary,’ Taylor said.
Raper then challenged the response, arguing she had asked a direct question.
‘No, I’m asking you a specific question. You have not answered that specific question,’ she said.
Taylor said: ‘And I’m giving you a specific answer. I’m giving the same answer I’ve been giving. I’m not going to give a running commentary on this.’
Raper later asked whether Taylor, or members of his family, had made payments to individuals named in the inquiry.
Taylor said neither he nor his family had made payments to Dallas McInerney, Robert Assaf, Christian Ellis, John Claude Perrottet, Charles Perrottet or Jeremy Greenwood.
‘Has your wife made any payments?’ Raper asked.
‘As I said, no payments have been made,’ Taylor said.
