An education funding expert has pointed out the obvious: when taxpayer money goes to private schools, maybe someone should check it's not being funneled into political donations. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is currently investigating allegations that Catholic Schools NSW made illegal donations to Liberal party operatives, including amounts that were not declared and exceeded donation caps. It's alleged that CEO Dallas McInerney arranged the donations to recruit or renew party members - a practice known as "branch stacking." Catholic Schools NSW oversees nearly 600 schools.

Trevor Cobbold, convenor of Save our Schools and a former Productivity Commission economist, says the feds and state should jointly audit Catholic Schools NSW. Nearly 80% of funding for Catholic schools comes from government - about $3.8bn in 2024. As a registered charity, it could lose its tax-exempt status if found to have a "disqualifying political purpose." Cobbold argues the education departments can't just stand by like disinterested observers - they have responsibilities to ensure public money is spent properly.

Chris Bonnor, former NSW Secondary Principals Council president, says the allegations call for stricter monitoring of private schools. NSW Premier Chris Minns, however, is taking a cautious approach: "We don't have any plans to do [an audit]... I think we should wait for [the Icac investigation] to at least begin." Because waiting for corruption to be investigated before acting is always a bold strategy.

The NSW Greens want a separate audit and renewed push to stop public funding of private schools. Tamara Smith, Greens education spokesperson, called the allegations "outrageous" and suggested any school under investigation should lose public funds until cleared. The federal education department and NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) declined to comment, citing the active Icac investigation. The ACNC said it will monitor the probe.

Cobbold notes that multiple inquiries can run concurrently, pointing to the royal commission into antisemitism happening alongside the Bondi terror attack investigation. So why not here? The Icac probe is part of a wider investigation involving McInerney, property developer Jean Nassif, and two brothers of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet - all have denied wrongdoing. McInerney, a factional ally of federal Liberal leader Angus Taylor, has offered to stand aside. Because nothing says "I'm innocent" like voluntarily stepping down.