Arabic version: شاهد في «آي كاك» يقول إن تبرعات تايلور لم تتحقق قط

According to The Guardian, Reformers member Robert Assaf told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption that he did not recall federal opposition leader Angus Taylor making donations to the conservative right factional group.

During Operation Rosny, Assaf was shown a message from Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney that Assaf had screenshotted and sent to the Reformers group chat. In the message, McInerney said he wanted to “shake down Angus for 10k” after seeking an update on state council delegate progress.

Assaf said he remembered the message and believed the ministers referred to included former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and NSW Liberal MP Anthony Roberts. Asked whether the update was intended to help secure money from Taylor, Assaf said: “I don’t know about that. I don’t think Angus ever went anywhere.”

When asked whether Taylor made a donation, Assaf said: “I don’t think Angus worked out … I don’t recall any minister ever giving us money.” He was also shown a message allegedly sent by former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw referring to a “15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation”.

Assaf said he recalled that message but did not recall any such payment, saying it “never happened” to his memory and that he never saw the money. He accepted that he did not have direct access to the Beckington account set up by the Reformers and therefore did not know whether additional funds had been deposited by politicians. Taylor again denied making payments to the group. Taylor, Roberts and Perrottet are not accused of wrongdoing.