ICAC hears Reformers member admit using donor money for bachelor party and tax tricks

The Independent Commission Against Corruption heard testimony from Robert Assaf, a member of the Liberal faction known as the Reformers, who confirmed that contributions from prohibited donor Michael O’Hara were transferred to Beckington, a lobbying firm run by Christian Ellis, to achieve tax advantages and to fund a bucks night. Assaf described the arrangement as “tricky” and said he only subsequently understood that creating false invoices was unlawful.

He also acknowledged that the Reformers’ account was temporarily used for personal spending, referencing a WhatsApp message about “bucks cash.” The commission examined claims that Catholic Schools NSW chief Dallas McInerney facilitated payments to support branch-stacking efforts and that federal opposition leader Angus Taylor was approached for a $10,000 request, which Taylor denied. Commissioner Fabian Gleeson cautioned Assaf about his argumentative responses. Further hearings are scheduled with Damien Tudehope, Jean-Claude Perrottet and Jeremy Greenwood as the probe continues.