Les Taylor, the chairman of the Whitehouse Institute of Design who recommended Frances Abbott to be only the second recipient of the 'chairman's scholarship', has made donations of more than $20,000 to the Liberal party

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Les Taylor, the chairman of the Whitehouse Institute of Design board of governors, personally recommended the prime minister’s daughter for a $60,000 design degree scholarship, and has also made donations of more than $20,000 to the state and federal Liberal party.

Frances Abbott was only the second recipient of the "chairman's scholarship", according to the institute's chief executive.



Guardian Australia revealed that Frances Abbott received the scholarship from the private higher education institute in 2011. Taylor told Guardian Australia he had “put her name forward” for the award but declined to say how much the scholarship was worth.

Taylor told Guardian Australia that, as chairman of the board of governors, “I’m entitled to make a recommendation … I’ve got the right to say [if] they’d do very well at Whitehouse.

“I knew she’d do well,” Taylor said, “And she’s flourished [at the institute]. I put her name forward as I thought she’d be suitable … she’s gone from strength to strength.”

Taylor later told Fairfax Media: ‘‘I probably did say to someone at Whitehouse, ‘Frances is a nice girl or something, good family, works hard, I reckon she’d do well’.’’

Taylor told Guardian Australia he could not recall if he had recommended anyone else for the scholarship that year, but confirmed it was not offered to students every year. Taylor said he did not “get involved” with the appraisal process for the scholarship, which was completed by academic staff. It is unclear whether any other students were considered for the scholarship in 2011.



The institute states on its website that it “does not currently offer scholarships to gain a place into the Bachelor of Design” – a cache search on the website indicates this has been the same since 2011.



The institute's chief executive, Ian Tudor, told Guardian Australia the "chairman's scholarship" was issued "occasionally" and that Frances Abbott was only its second recipient.



"I understand that the selection of Frances was done at arm's length from the chairman by the owner, founder and managing director of the institute, Leanne Whitehouse," Tudor said.



He said the institute awarded "various types" of scholarships, despite the statement on the website.



The director of the institute, Leanne Whitehouse, previously confirmed Frances Abbott was a recipient of the scholarship, but declined to give further details.



A spokeswoman for the prime minister confirmed that Frances Abbott was a recipient of a scholarship at the institute and said it was awarded as a result of her "application and art portfolio".



She said disclosure of the scholarship by the prime minister on the parliamentary register of interests was "not required".



"Under the Statement of Registrable Interests, a scholarship is not a gift, it is an award based on merit and disclosure is not required. If alternative advice is provided, Mr Abbott will meet the amended requirements," the spokeswoman said.



"Frances graduated with distinction-level results from Whitehouse in December 2013. She has since moved to Melbourne where she works for Whitehouse as a teacher’s aide and hopes to study for her Masters later this year."

The spokeswoman said Taylor had known the prime minister "for many years and when in opposition, he received clothing from him as a gift".



Later on Wednesday a spokeswoman for Abbott's office added: "The clerk of the House has further advised that there are no obvious provisions in the Members’ interests that would require the declaration of such a scholarship nor is there any reference in the more detailed notes provided to members for their guidance in making declarations that such scholarships need to be declared."

The institute’s website includes a page on which Abbott praises its work.

From April 2007 to May 2010 Taylor donated $20,050 to the New South Wales Liberal party and disclosed the donations with the NSW Electoral Funding Authority.



As part of those donations in 2009, Taylor disclosed a $1,350 donation to the former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson, a $300 donation to the current treasurer, Joe Hockey, and a “day on boat” $8,000 auction. The candidate for the auction is described as the “Brendan Nelson Tribute Dinner”.



Taylor told Guardian Australia he had known the Abbott family for 30 years and had known Frances since she was a child.



He said there was no conflict of interest and it was his right as a private citizen to donate to political parties.



Taylor is a lawyer and a former chief solicitor and general counsel of the Commonwealth Bank. He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2010 for "services to the financial sector".



The Abbott government has proposed sweeping changes to higher education that could lead to tuition fees of more than $100,000 and higher interest rates for students.

