Lobbying firm linked to Reformers faces scrutiny over payments and fake invoices

In Australia, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating a Christian Liberal factional group known as the Reformers. This group has been accused of soliciting or accepting prohibited donations for the recruitment or renewal of party members. The inquiry focuses on the former registered lobbying company Beckington, established by Jeremy Greenwood and Reformer Christian Ellis in 2019. Allegations suggest that Beckington accepted payments for factional work through fake invoices to Michael O'Hara, a prohibited donor, and the governing body Catholic Schools NSW. During the hearings, Greenwood provided evidence, including a payment of $12,000 to Jean-Claude Perrottet, the brother of Dominic Perrottet, which he claimed was not related to recruitment work. Greenwood's testimony raised questions about the legitimacy of the payments and the involvement of the Reformers in factional activities. He denied being a member of the Reformers and stated that he had not actively engaged in their work, despite being named in two of Icac's allegations. The inquiry continues as it seeks to uncover the extent of the alleged misconduct and the connections between the lobbying firm and the Reformers, highlighting the potential for corruption within political factions in Australia.