Robert Assaf, a co-founder of the conservative right Liberal factional group the Reformers, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Thursday that the group "didn't think the law applied to us" regarding political funding.
Assaf, the first Reformers witness to give evidence, stated that because their activities were internal Liberal party matters, they did not consider them subject to electoral laws. Icac is investigating whether Liberal figures, including Assaf, solicited or accepted illegal donations to recruit or renew party members, a practice known as "branch-stacking."
Assaf, 30, who co-founded the Reformers in 2017, described the group's aim as "policy change" and increasing Liberal party membership. He claimed federal opposition leader Angus Taylor and former NSW Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet were aware of and supported the Reformers' work, though neither is accused of wrongdoing.