ICAC to Start Public Hearings for Operation Rosny
廉政公署將就「Rosny 行動」展開公開聆訊
Introduction
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has announced public hearings to investigate claims of illegal political donations and 'branch-stacking' within the New South Wales Liberal Party.
廉政公署（ICAC）宣佈將舉行公開聆訊，調查關於新南威爾斯州自由黨內部非法政治捐款與「操縱黨員名單」（branch-stacking）的指控。
Main Body
Operation Rosny began in June 2022 after Ray Williams claimed that the process for choosing candidates for the Hills Shire Council was being manipulated. It is alleged that property developer Jean Nassif gave illegal donations to Liberal Party members—including Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, Robert Assaf, and Charles Perrottet. These payments were reportedly made to ensure that supportive councillors were appointed to help with development projects, such as the Skyview apartment tower. Furthermore, the inquiry is investigating if these payments were used to cause the removal of former Building Commissioner David Chandler and to damage the reputation of former minister David Elliott.
「Rosny 行動」於 2022 年 6 月開始，是因為 Ray Williams 指稱 Hills Shire 議會的候選人挑選過程被操縱。據稱地產開發商 Jean Nassif 向自由黨黨員提供非法捐款，對象包括 Christian Ellis、Jeremy Greenwood、Robert Assaf 與 Charles Perrottet。報導指出這些款項是用來確保有支持度的議員獲委任，以協助處理如 Skyview 住宅大樓等開發項目。此外，調查也在研究這些款項是否被用於促使前建築專員 David Chandler 離職，以及損害前部長 David Elliott 的名聲。
Additionally, the investigation looks into the role of Dallas McInerney, the former chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, who is suspected of using organization funds for branch-stacking. The commission has noted a network of family and professional connections, specifically that Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet are brothers of former Premier Dominic Perrottet. To uncover the truth, the ICAC has processed 46.1 terabytes of data and issued a large number of search warrants and summonses during 2024-25.
另外，調查也在研究前新南威爾斯州天主教學校行政總裁 Dallas McInerney 扮演的角色，他被懷疑利用機構資金來操縱黨員名單。廉政公署注意到一個由家庭與專業關係組成的網絡，特別是 Jean-Claude 與 Charles Perrottet 是前州長 Dominic Perrottet 的兄弟。為了揭開真相，廉政公署在 2024 至 25 年期間處理了 46.1 terabytes 的數據，並發出了大量搜索令與傳喚書。
There have already been political consequences before the hearings begin on July 27. Shadow Attorney-General Damien Tudehope has resigned from his senior position after being called as a witness. Although Mr. Tudehope asserts that he is not the target of the investigation, he stepped down to avoid distracting Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane due to his professional links with key figures in the case.
在 7 月 27 日聆訊開始之前，已經產生了政治後果。影子司法部長 Damien Tudehope 在被傳喚為證人之後，已經辭去高級職位。雖然 Tudehope 先生堅稱自己並非調查對象，但由於他與個案關鍵人物有專業聯繫，為了避免分心影響反對黨領袖 Kellie Sloane，他選擇請辭。
Conclusion
The ICAC will hold eight weeks of public hearings starting July 27 to decide if these donation schemes were illegal and how they affected the state's government.
廉政公署將由 7 月 27 日開始舉行為期八週的公開聆訊，以決定這些捐款計劃是否非法，以及對州政府造成了什麼影響。
Vocabulary Learning
The Power of 'Hedged' Language
At the A2 level, we usually speak in absolute facts: "He stole the money" or "They are guilty." However, to reach B2, you must learn how to describe things that are not yet proven. In legal or professional English, we use "hedging" to avoid making false accusations.
🔍 Spotting the Pattern
Look at these phrases from the text:
- *"It is alleged that..."
- *"...were reportedly made..."
- *"...who is suspected of..."
Notice that the writer does not say "Jean Nassif gave illegal donations." Instead, they use alleged. This changes the sentence from a fact to a claim.
🛠️ How to Use This to Level Up
To move toward B2, stop using "maybe" for everything. Instead, use these professional structures:
-
The Passive Allegation:
It is alleged that + [Subject] + [Verb]Example: "It is alleged that the company ignored the safety rules." -
The Adverbial Shift:
[Subject] + [Verb] + reportedly + [Complement]Example: "The CEO reportedly resigned yesterday." -
The Suspicion Clause:
[Subject] + is suspected of + [Verb-ing]Example: "The driver is suspected of speeding."
Coach's Tip: Using these words makes you sound more objective and sophisticated. It is the difference between sounding like a student and sounding like a professional analyst.