新南威尔士州自由党人士Robert Assaf在独立反腐委员会（ICAC）听证会上为虚假发票进行了辩护。[1]这些虚假发票声称提供咨询服务，但实际上并未提供任何服务。[1]Assaf称这些付款是出于"狡猾"的税务目的，而非隐瞒非法政治献金。[1]
ICAC正在调查通过公司Beckington向右翼天主教组织改革者党进行的未申报政治献金，其中包括酒店老板Michael O'Hara的捐款。[1]Assaf承认自己知道禁止献金的概念，但坚持没有认为改革者党做错了什么。[1]在听证会上，专员Fabian Gleeson质问Assaf为何将虚假发票称为"狡猾"而非"不诚实"。[1]
改革者党成员声称他们"不成熟且年轻"，曾将党的资金用作个人开支预付款，并表示会偿还。[1]其中一笔改革者党现金被用于支付单身汉派对费用。[1]Damien Tudehope将于周一出庭，Frits Mare将于周二出庭。[1]
A New South Wales Liberal Party figure defended the use of fraudulent invoices at an Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing, characterizing questionable financial arrangements as a "tricky" tax strategy rather than dishonest conduct.[1] Robert Assaf gave evidence concerning undisclosed political donations funneled to the right-wing Catholic organization the Informed Voice through a company called Beckington, including contributions from hotel owner Michael O'Hara.[1]
The fake invoices purported to document consulting services that were never actually provided.[1] When questioned by Commissioner Fabian Gleeson about why he would describe such arrangements as "tricky" rather than "dishonest," Assaf maintained that the payments were designed for tax purposes and not to conceal illegal political donations.[1] Assaf acknowledged understanding the prohibition on political donations but insisted he believed the Informed Voice had done nothing wrong.[1]
Members of the Informed Voice have claimed they were "immature and young" and used party funds as personal expense advances, pledging to repay them later.[1] Cash belonging to the organization was also applied toward bachelor party expenses.[1] Damien Tudehope is scheduled to give evidence on Monday, with Frits Mare appearing on Tuesday.[1]