Inside the group chats of the trash-talking NSW young Liberals who dreamed big – then imploded
News Source
•Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:00:15 GMT
📰 What Happened
Leaked messages show how a group of young NSW Liberal members called the Reformers tried to push their party to the right. Formed around 2018, the group celebrated taking over branches such as Coffs Harbour.
Their texts, emails and encrypted chats became central to a 10-week corruption inquiry by ICAC. The inquiry looked at claims the conservative Christian group took illegal donations to recruit members. Two members deny wrongdoing, and a third did not give evidence.
🔍 The Backstory
The Reformers were mostly men in their twenties, some barely out of high school. They wanted influence inside the NSW Liberal party by winning local branch votes. ICAC is the state's anti-corruption watchdog, and its public hearings ended this week.
🎯 Why It Matters
The case raises questions about money and power inside a major political party. It matters to voters who expect parties to follow the rules.
Leaked messages show how a group of young NSW Liberal members called the Reformers tried to push their party to the right. Formed around 2018, the group celebrated taking over branches such as Coffs Harbour.
Their texts, emails and encrypted chats became central to a 10-week corruption inquiry by ICAC. The inquiry looked at claims the conservative Christian group took illegal donations to recruit members. Two members deny wrongdoing, and a third did not give evidence.
The Reformers were mostly men in their twenties, some barely out of high school. They wanted influence inside the NSW Liberal party by winning local branch votes. ICAC is the state's anti-corruption watchdog, and its public hearings ended this week.
The case raises questions about money and power inside a major political party. It matters to voters who expect parties to follow the rules.