P&C federation referred to ICAC by Education Minister Adrian Piccoli Reports of division and turmoil: Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has referred the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW to ICAC. Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has referred the state's main body representing public school parents to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, amid continuing internal division and turmoil within the organisation. Mr Piccoli's office confirmed on Sunday that he had received allegations involving the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW and had referred them to the corruption watchdog, although it would not comment on the nature of the allegations. Fairfax Media understands the allegations may involve the misuse of funds. Defensive: P & C president Lyall Wilkinson has warned of involving lawyers. Although the minister confirmed the referral, it is unclear whether the ICAC will be able to investigate the organisation, as it may not meet the definition of a public sector agency under the act. The minister's move comes a month after he told the organisation it would not receive further public grant money until it broached appropriate reform. Mr Piccoli froze an annual payment of about $380,000 to the body, which also receives fees from up to 2100 parent organisations affiliated with it. Unrest within the federation reached farcical levels at the weekend, with some members of its state council attending a meeting at Merrylands Bowling Club and voting to remove the president, Lyall Wilkinson, and elect a new one. But Mr Wilkinson said he did not recognise the legitimacy of the meeting or any of the decisions made and warned he would take the matter to the federation's lawyers on Monday. The latest drama follows a report by a former official in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, David Roden, last year that found the organisation was racked by bullying and self-interest and risked disintegration. He laid some of the blame on the unwieldy size and power of the state council, which can have up to 108 members and effectively runs the federation. His report also found many members of the council were long-serving and no longer had children at school and that some regarded the trips to Sydney for meetings and conferences as "pleasant weekends away." In a letter to Mr Wilkinson in October, Mr Piccoli said that his office had received many complaints "that the federation currently provides 'poor service levels' to its district councils and school P&C associations" and said there appeared to be "serious internal issues." Mr Wilkinson said he had cancelled a council meeting planned for this weekend more than a month ago and denounced the decision by some members to go ahead with it. He called for calm at a time when there was "legal action, WorkCover and an independent WH&S investigation going on." But Sharryn Brownlee, who was elected president at the meeting, said there was a quorum at all times and the action taken to remove the president was done with knowledge of the ICAC referral. She said the organisation had become "paralysed" and "unable to operate."