Key facts
- Funds solicited by the NSW Liberal faction 'Reformers' were allegedly used for personal expenditures, including a bucks night.
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating allegations of illegal donations and branch stacking by the Reformers.
- Robert Assaf, a Reformers member, testified that money from a prohibited donor was channelled through a lobbying firm for tax benefits.
- Assaf admitted to using Reformers funds as an advance for personal expenditure, describing the practice as 'tricky'.
- There were alleged attempts to solicit funds from federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, which he denies.
Robert Assaf, a member of the NSW Liberal faction known as the Reformers, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that funds solicited for political purposes were used for personal expenditures, including a bucks night.
Assaf testified that money from a prohibited donor, Michael O’Hara, was channelled through Beckington, a registered lobbying firm set up by the group and run by Christian Ellis. O’Hara had previously admitted to a fake arrangement with Beckington for 'strategic wealth strategy investment advice'. Assaf stated that moving the funds through Beckington was to create 'the maximum benefit from a tax perspective', though he later acknowledged knowing that creating fake invoices to minimise tax was illegal.
Assaf admitted to temporarily using funds from the Reformers' account for a bucks night, describing the practice as 'tricky' and an 'advance on our personal expenditure'. He recalled a WhatsApp message from Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, stating, 'Rob has the bucks cash coming back.'
The inquiry also heard that Assaf was employed at Catholic Schools NSW alongside Dylan Whitelaw, a Reformers associate. Dallas McInerney, chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, is alleged to have arranged payments to the Reformers through Beckington. Assaf confirmed he knew that money paid to Beckington was funding work Whitelaw was doing for the Reformers.
Assaf also recalled messages suggesting attempts to solicit funds from federal opposition leader Angus Taylor. One message from McInerney stated he wanted to 'shake down Angus for 10K', and another from Whitelaw claimed McInerney had received 'the commitment from Angus, the 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation'. Assaf stated he did not believe Angus Taylor's involvement worked out, and Taylor has denied making any payments to the group.
During Assaf's testimony, Icac commissioner Fabian Gleeson intervened multiple times, at one point telling Assaf he had become 'a bit argumentative'.
Upcoming witnesses include Damien Tudehope, NSW shadow attorney general, and other Reformers members Jean-Claude Perrottet and Jeremy Greenwood, who have also been named in Icac's allegations.