Lobbyist denies to Icac any real involvement with conservative Liberal faction
Consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood told Australia's corruption watchdog Icac there is no evidence he was truly part of the conservative Liberal group known as the Reformers, saying he privately urged members to stop once it became "toxic".
Australia's Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is continuing its Operation Rosny inquiry into whether conservative figures within the Liberal party, including 37-year-old consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood, solicited or accepted illegal donations to recruit or renew party membership.
Greenwood gave evidence on Monday, disputing claims that he was closely tied to a factional group called the Reformers, whose members pushed for more conservative positions on same-sex marriage, abortion and euthanasia. He acknowledged sharing similar political views with the group but downplayed any active role in its operations.
Dispute over the extent of involvement
Counsel assisting the inquiry, Peggy Dwyer SC, pointed to intercepted messages suggesting Greenwood supported Reformers events in 2019, but he maintained he had only assisted with one event under significant pressure and had seen no other evidence tying him to the group's broader history.
Greenwood said he first met Reformers figure Christian Ellis in 2018 while both worked as staffers for Nationals senator Matt Canavan. In 2019 the two co-founded lobbying firm Beckington, which the inquiry has heard received payments for factional work disguised as financial and consulting services.
He told the commission he had privately urged Reformers members to stop their activities once the situation became "toxic", and that his lobbying firm JGP Advisory had since lost clients following the launch of the Icac investigation.
Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney is expected to give evidence later this week over allegations that prohibited donations were made and approved through the schools' governing body. Icac's inquiry is ongoing.
