The former opposition leader, the alleged branch stacking and the silent nuns
An ICAC investigation into NSW Liberal Party branch stacking has revealed allegations that Carmelite nuns were signed up as party members without their knowledge. The Diocese has denied the claims, stating the nuns have no involvement in political parties.
Why it matters
This highlights potential corruption and unethical practices within political party membership recruitment processes.
— 3:59pm , first published July 25, 2026 — 5:00am
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Share A A A ICAC’s Operation Rosny is investigating property developer Jean Nassif’s links to political powerbrokers, councils and Catholic schools. See all stories . An order of silent Carmelite nuns living a life of “solitude and poverty” in rural NSW became unwitting targets of an elaborate NSW Liberal branch-stacking scheme run by a key figure at the centre of an explosive corruption hearing .
When NSW Liberal operative Christian Ellis, 34, moved to Deniliquin and allegedly embarked on a push to stack branches to unseat the former opposition leader Sussan Ley in Farrer, the one-time political staffer found the perfect party members in the Carmel of Elijah nuns.
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