A senior press secretary for Angus Taylor has publicly rebuked Channel 10 political editor Ashleigh Raper after she grilled the Opposition Leader about the ICAC inquiry probing illegal donations to the NSW Liberals.
At the media conference in Canberra, Mr Taylor was repeatedly questioned by Raper about evidence he was tied to the scandal, after the inquiry heard late last month that in 2021 Mr Taylor had agreed to bankroll a conservative religious faction within the party.
Mr Taylor repeatedly declined to directly answer Raper’s questions, saying he was “not going to give a running commentary” on the matter.
“I’ll let the commission do its work. No payment was made. I was clear about that from the start,” Mr Taylor told reporters.
But with the cameras continuing to roll after the press conference concluded, Kane Silom, who joined Mr Taylor’s office after serving as communications director for Sussan Ley, took aim at Raper.
“Are your ratings that bad? Seriously, that’s a fricken disgrace,” Mr Silom could be heard saying.
“What? Asking questions about an ICAC inquiry?” Raper replied.
Responding, Mr Silom said: “He’s answered them like 500 times, seriously.”
“No wonder 10 Plus got cut,” he said, a reference to the network’s current affairs show, which was cut back after failing to attract viewers.
In late July, the ICAC inquiry heard evidence that Mr Taylor had committed to a $15,000 “injection” to the conservative Liberal grouping, known as the NSW Reformers, alongside regular $3000 donations.
Reacting to Mr Silom’s outburst, NSW Labor senator Tony Sheldon demanded Mr Taylor answer questions relating to the ICAC probe.
“I say this to all journalists, you have a right and we have an obligation as politicians to answer your questions,” he said.
“Angus Taylor, your time is up, you’ve got to answer those questions just like you did six months ago when Sussan Ley (was) knocked off. How about you knock off these questions and answer them.”