Australia news live: St Kilda may lose hundreds of little penguins to bird flu; corruption inquiry told of $50,000 branch stacking scheme

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Expert warns too late to vaccinate St Kilda's little penguins at risk of bird flu

Achol Arok

Ecologist Lana Austin, from conservation group Earthcare St Kilda, said bird flu was likely to arrive at a little penguin colony in Melbourne’s bayside area, which is home to about 1,400 of the birds.

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday, Austin said she was “pretty worried because I don’t want to lose one bird”, and that efforts to protect the colony would require “a whole ecosystem response”. She said:

double quotation markWe need to be concerned at St Kilda, not just for penguins, but for all the other wildlife that hang out in Port Phillip Bay generally. So, we have dolphins, seals, rakali, which is a native water rat. It’s very likely that they will also be affected.

Austin said it was unclear how bad the impact of the virus would be on the colony, due to a lack of data for little penguins, and that authorities had “probably missed the boat” on vaccination efforts.

double quotation markArthur Rylah [Institute] did a great risk assessment early last year where they looked into vaccination possibility … It did have some good effects and birds had some resilience and immunity to the disease. However, it had to be introduced before bird flu arrived. We have missed the vaccination boat and it’s more just about managing it once it arrives.

Australia’s share market is trading at a five-month high, led by a strong rally by the major banks and a subdued oil price, AAP reports.

The S&P/ASX200 jumped 114.7 points by midday, up 0.28%, to 9,134.8, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 120.2 points, or 1.31%, to 9,298.6.

The top-200 came within 66 points of its 9,202.9 record peak set in February, as the local bourse tracked a strong Wall Street on hopes the US and Iran would restart diplomatic efforts to solve the Persian Gulf conflict.

The Australian dollar is buying 70.13 US cents, down from 70.27 US cents on Monday at 5pm.

Ecologist Lana Austin, from conservation group Earthcare St Kilda, said bird flu was likely to arrive at a little penguin colony in Melbourne’s bayside area, which is home to about 1,400 of the birds.

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday, Austin said she was “pretty worried because I don’t want to lose one bird”, and that efforts to protect the colony would require “a whole ecosystem response”. She said:

\n We need to be concerned at St Kilda, not just for penguins, but for all the other wildlife that hang out in Port Phillip Bay generally.\n So, we have dolphins, seals, rakali, which is a native water rat. It’s very likely that they will also be affected.\n

Austin said it was unclear how bad the impact of the virus would be on the colony, due to a lack of data for little penguins, and that authorities had “probably missed the boat” on vaccination efforts.

\n Arthur Rylah [Institute] did a great risk assessment early last year where they looked into vaccination possibility … It did have some good effects and birds had some resilience and immunity to the disease. However, it had to be introduced before bird flu arrived.\n We have missed the vaccination boat and it’s more just about managing it once it arrives.\n

Australians lodged nearly 120,000 complaints with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in the most recent financial year, a record number that reflects the intense economic pressures being felt across the community.

That was about 20% more than the previous financial year, according to the preliminary numbers.

Personal transaction accounts, car insurance and credit cards were the most complained about products in 2025-26, AFCA said.

Complaints relating to the way banks dealt with customers in financial difficulty jumped by 17% in the year, and credit reporting complaints by 22%, AFCA said.

But AFCA said the largest growth was driven by major investment failures and rising superannuation disputes, most notably the collapses of the Shield Master Fund and First Guardian.

Complaints alleging failure to act in the client’s best interest remain the top issue with a 65 per cent increase on last year, up to 2081.

Deborah Jenkins, AFCA’s chief customer officer, said:

\n While most financial advice firms do the right thing, we are seeing a significant number of complaints stem from major financial collapses that have affected thousands of consumers. These matters are complex and can be incredibly stressful for individuals and their families.\n

Retired businessman Frits Maré has been telling the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) about a 2020 meeting in which Reformers Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis asked him to contribute $50,000 to an operation to unseat the Liberal member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.

On Monday, Reformer Robert Assaf told the commission he was concerned that the Perrottets, including former premier Dominic Perrottet and brothers Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet, had a “vendetta” against Hawke, who had “backstabbed Dom” and become a “kingmaker” in the party.

Neither Hawke nor Dominic Perrottet is accused of any wrongdoing. Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Maré, a Liberal party member who is not named in any allegations and is not accused of any wrongdoing, described meeting Jean-Claude Perrottet at Young Liberals fundraiser in 2019. After repeated attempts by Jean-Claude Perrottet to set up a meeting, Maré met with him and Ellis at Maré’s office in May 2020.

He says the men asked him for $50,000 to fund a call centre to sign up new members at the party, so that they could “get enough people to challenge Alex Hawke in his seat and then vote him out”.

“I found it strange,” says Maré. “I thought the sitting member was doing a good job in parliament.”

Maré said he asked the men if they had budgeted how they would spend the $50,000. He says Ellis said “he hadn’t done a budget, but he’d go and do one”, but Maré declined their request for a contribution. “For the record, I never paid the money. I never caused it to be paid by anyone else or by a corporation,” he says.

I’m at government house where the new Victoria premier Ben Carroll’s cabinet is being sworn in. Unlike his predecessor Jacinta Allan’s reshuffle in April, this appears to be a major shake-up of portfolios.

Gabrielle Williams, the deputy premier, takes on Carroll’s portfolio of education, amid a long-running pay dispute with the state’s public school teachers.

Colin Brooks has been given the treasury portfolio, ending Jaclyn Symes’s time in the job. Symes was the state’s first female treasurer.

Anthony Carbines, one of Carroll’s most loyal supporters, has lost his police portfolio but keeps racing and picks up major events, AI and the digital economy – the latter appears to be a newly created role.

Paul Edbrooke – who was only recently elevated to cabinet – has scored a major promotion, taking on the police portfolio.

Sonya Kilkenny, an Allan supporter who made a surprise bid for leadership during last week’s Labor caucus meeting, has retained her attorney general and planning portfolios and adds prevention of family violence. But she loses finance to Enver Erdogan.

Another Allan supporter, Steve Dimopoulos, has lost major events but takes on WorkSafe, TAC and equality alongside sport. The ceremony is ongoing.

Gambling giant Tabcorp is up in the Senate inquiry this morning.

The company’s head of government affairs, Julian Whealing, says claims of illicit drugs, sex workers and alcohol being provided to problem gamblers is not “part of Tabcorp’s customer offering”.

“Tabcorp has zero tolerance for this behavior, we are Australia’s most regulated wagering company, and we take our responsibilities to compliance seriously,” he said.

\n Any evidence of this illegal activity should be referred to the relevant authorities.\n

Betting giant Sportsbet says it has no evidence to substantiate allegations made in Monday’s hearing about the Albanese government’s gambling bill, including that gambling companies provided illegal drugs and sex workers to customers.

Jules Norton Selzer, director of corporate affairs, has told the inquiry today the company has “zero evidence of the allegations”.

“We have no tolerance for that kind of deplorable conduct and information,” he said, going on:

\n No information has been provided to us beyond what was referenced yesterday, and we will gladly investigate it.\n Our objective is for adult customers to enjoy our product safely and responsibly, and that is why we continue to support measures to reduce underage exposure and strengthen consumer protections across the range of federal and state regulatory models that we operate within.\n

Along with the industry lobby group Responsible Wagering Australia and Tabcorp, the company is expected to face more questions about the evidence this morning.

Matt King has described the NSW State of Origin team as the “love of his life” after being named as Laurie Daley’s permanent replacement as the new Blues head coach.

AAP reports Daley walked away from the role on Monday after leading the Blues to a series victory last month and the NSWRL has wasted no time in appointing King as his replacement on Tuesday.

King played nine games for the Blues and has been part of the coaching staff under Daley and Michael Maguire over the last three series.

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The 45-year-old King, who played for Melbourne, Souths and Warrington, has never been a senior coach but has spent the best part of the last decade working as an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Sydney Roosters.

King said:

\n I’ve had a front-row seat the last couple of years with Laurie and 12 months before that with Michael Maguire and I have a true understanding of what it means to lead this great state of ours.\n The one true rugby league love of my life has been the NSW Blues and to know now that I have the opportunity to guide the team moving forward, means the absolute world to me.\n

Thomas Bradley, a Queensland supreme court judge, will be appointed Queensland’s new governor. Bradley will replace the former state chief health officer Jeannette Young, who has served in the role since 2021.

He will be appointed in November.

The premier, David Crisafulli, announced the decision at a press conference in the state’s defunct upper house chamber on Tuesday, flanked by his deputy premier, committed royalist Jarrod Bleijie, and Bradley.

Crisafulli said Bradley had been selected in May, but the king had only approved his appointment last week.

“I share the goals of my predecessors as governors of Queensland to carry out the constitutional responsibilities with dignity, fairness, and a commitment to the rule of law,” Bradley said, on Tuesday. He went on:

\n I look forward to spending time with as many Queenslanders as possible across the state as I serve, I call to mind all that we have in common as Queenslanders, the joy that we share in each other’s successes, and the comfort that we give each other in our sorrows. I’m reminded that in communities large and small, we are part of one common endeavor.\n

He has served on the supreme court since 2018 after a career as a legal academic and commercial barrister, and was promoted to the court of appeal in 2025.

Andrew Hastie said he’s “not worried” about the next election, but hopes he receives preferences from One Nation when it comes down to it.

Hastie spoke to News24 (formerly Sky News) this morning ahead of One Nation’s expected launch in his seat of Canning in Western Australia. He had this to say:

\n I’m not worried. Everyone who comes in this job has to have a sense of their political mortality, and if this is the end, this is the end. You do your best, and it’s up to the Australian people.\n We’re also a democracy. So I don’t have a problem with any political party starting a branch.\n

Hastie maintained the Coalition had ruled out any deal with One Nation for a joint government, saying the Nationals were the “one Coalition partner” for the Liberals. But he said he still hopes One Nation preferences flow to him:

\n We’re in a two-party preferred system. So preferences matter.\n Labor receives preferences from the Greens, and I’d hope we’d receive preferences from one nation. But in the end, I want to form government under Angus Taylor by winning on primary votes.\n

Murray Watt, the federal environment minister, was asked earlier about former rugby league star Luke Bateman’s testimony before a parliamentary inquiry on gambling reform.

Bateman alleged betting company promoters supplied him with cocaine and alcohol, also alleging he attended private Gold Coast events hosted by gambling firms where senior figures took illegal drugs with clients.

Watt said those claims were distressing, before noting that anyone who engaged in such behaviour should face penalties. He told RN Breakfast:

\n We all feel for him and the circumstances that he went through. And for anyone to be offering illegal drugs as an inducement or for any other reason is obviously a crime. Should not be committed and people should pay a price if they’re engaging in that kind of criminal behavior.\n

Watt said the government was trying to strengthen gambling guardrails, including a national register to opt out from betting and gambling inducements.

Top NSW officials are urging people to avoid the emergency department except in cases of extreme health needs, warning the next three weeks will see hospitals at capacity amid a surge in winter illness.

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the next few weeks will be the “worst of the year” after a moderate beginning to the winter season:

\n I’ve spoken to emergency departments in Maitland, in Cessnock, in Western Sydney over the last two or three weeks since who have said it’s a late-starting season, but it’s hitting us hard now.\n

Minns said that advice was targeted at those with “cuts, abrasions, bruises, things that can wait until the morning”. But people fearful of a dangerous health condition, including those with symptoms of stroke or heart attack, should absolutely head to the ED. He said:

\n If you feel or you’ve got any suspicion that your life might be in danger, please go to the emergency department, please call 000.\n No one’s going to yell at you if you turn out to be wrong and it’s some other ailment that’s not life-threatening. Everybody understands that.\n

The NSW health minister, Ryan Park, added earlier this morning:

\n We always prioritorizing those most unwell, and that’s why we’re calling on people. If you don’t need to use an emergency department, if it’s not an emergency, use that 1800 022 222 number.\n

As wildfires rage in the northern hemisphere, Greg Mullins, Australian firefighter and former commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales, warns an incoming El Niño combined with significant fuel loads could contribute to bushfires in Australia.

Since 2020, wet weather in places and floods in places such as Lismore in NSW have prevented firefighters from doing as many hazard reduction burns as scheduled.

Mullins told the ABC’s 7.30:

\n It’s been too wet to burn and what we increasingly find is that conditions swing from being too wet to suddenly too hot and dry.\n The hotter temperatures dry out the bush very quickly and the windows to carry out hazard reduction have reduced from months every year to just weeks.\n

He is less concerned about the current conditions as many parts of Australia are not in drought.

But with the El Niño coming, hotter, drier conditions are also likely to follow.

\n What worries me is the year after an El Niño is usually the hottest.\n So 2027, I think, we’ll have a busy year for fires – it will be back on the TV screens, but then the summer of 27-28 could be a real worry.\n

NSW police have arrested and charged two men after one of them allegedly brandished a fake replica gun, wearing a bulletproof vest with a US flag and carrying a toy police badge, at a busy Sydney entertainment precinct, AAP reports.

Uniform and specialist police swarmed the pair at the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park on Monday afternoon.

Chaotic social media footage showed dozens of police officers including some wearing tactical gear surrounding the alleged offenders and confused shoppers running, just before 5pm.

On arrival, officers located two men, one of whom was allegedly wearing a vest and carrying a firearm, police said in a statement.

The two men, aged 35 and 39, were arrested and a replica firearm, a vest, plastic handcuffs and a badge were allegedly seized.

Both were taken to Surry Hills police station where, during a search of the older man, police allege they located an amount of prohibited drugs.

The younger man was charged with possessing an unregistered, unauthorised pistol in a public place and for offensive behaviour.

He was refused bail to appear in court today.

The older man was charged with possessing a prohibited drug.

He was granted conditional bail to appear in court on 20 August.

Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.

We start with charges that have been laid overnight after a security scare and major police action at Sydney’s popular Moore Park entertainment precinct. More on that soon

Key events

• 26m agoAustralian shares surge to five-month high
• 2h agoExpert warns too late to vaccinate St Kilda's little penguins at risk of bird flu
• 2h agoRecord number of complaints about financial products
• 3h agoCorruption inquiry hears about request for $50,000 to branch stack against federal member
• 3h agoNew Victorian premier launches major portfolio shake-up
• 3h agoTabcorp rejects allegations over perks for problem gamblers
• 3h agoSportsbet says 'zero evidence' on allegations over drugs and sex workers for problem gamblers
• 4h agoNSW announces new Origin coach
• 4h agoJudge announced as new Queensland governor
• 5h agoHastie ‘not worried’ as One Nation eyes his seat
• 6h agoMinister says anyone who engaged in alleged illicit gambling inducements should be punished
• 6h agoNSW officials urge those with injuries ‘that can wait’ to avoid emergency department
• 8h ago‘Massive’ fuel loads pave way for worrying summer fires in 2027
• 8h agoCharges laid after alleged replica gun scare in Sydney entertainment precinct
• 8h agoWelcome

Bob Montgomery, 82-year-old cyclist who just finished MND fundraising ride from Broome to Bowral, dies

Bob Montgomery, a charity cyclist who recently finished a 5,200-kilometre bike ride from Broome to Bowral, died on Monday at the age of 82.

His family confirmed his death on social media, saying he had died unexpectedly just a day after completing the cycling feat as a fundraiser for motor neurone disease, alongside his grandson, Tom. They wrote:

double quotation markThis was Bob’s sixth interstate fundraising ride in support of Motor Neurone Disease NSW, raising vital funds and awareness for a cause that was deeply personal to him. Fittingly, and now poignantly, the ride was named One Last Ride. At 82 years of age, Bob was still passionately sharing his message only hours before his passing.

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MND NSW shared a tribute saying the body was “deeply saddened” by the sudden passing, calling Montgomery a “cherished friend and tireless supporter of MND NSW”.

The group’s CEO, Liam O’Meara, said in a statement:

double quotation markFor many years, Bob dedicated himself to raising vital funds and awareness for people living with motor neurone disease. His most recent achievement, riding from Broome to Bowral at the age of 82 alongside his 18-year-old grandson, was nothing short of inspirational. Bob understood that behind every diagnosis is a person and a family navigating one of life’s most challenging journeys. His fundraising helped ensure that more people could access the care, equipment and support they need, when they need it most.

Australian shares surge to five-month high

Australia’s share market is trading at a five-month high, led by a strong rally by the major banks and a subdued oil price, AAP reports.

The S&P/ASX200 jumped 114.7 points by midday, up 0.28%, to 9,134.8, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 120.2 points, or 1.31%, to 9,298.6.

The top-200 came within 66 points of its 9,202.9 record peak set in February, as the local bourse tracked a strong Wall Street on hopes the US and Iran would restart diplomatic efforts to solve the Persian Gulf conflict.

The Australian dollar is buying 70.13 US cents, down from 70.27 US cents on Monday at 5pm.

Australian Securities Exchange headquarters in Sydney. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Penry Buckley

NSW shadow attorney general admits he introduced friend who made alleged prohibited donations, inquiry hears

Icac’s Operation Rosny has heard that hotelier Michael O’Hara, a former business partner of Damien Tudehope from their time as lawyers, met Christian Ellis and Robert Assaf at an event at Tudehope’s home.

Under questioning from counsel assisting, Peggy Dwyer SC, Tudehope has accepted that he introduced the men, and he would not have been surprised that O’Hara would be happy to support their factional work financially.

But like O’Hara, a prohibited political donor because of his involvement in the liquor industry, who appeared before the commission last week, Tudehope has disputed whether payments to the Reformers would count as political donations. He says:

double quotation markIf you think that I would expose a friend of mine to that level of scrutiny that he was exposed to, 83 years of age with stage … four cancer, do you think that I would have done that in circumstances where I knew that he would be a prohibited donor for the purposes of the Electoral Funding Act, not on your life.

Michael O’Hara. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Penry Buckley

Senior NSW Liberal parliamentarian employed Reformers and supported them financially, inquiry hears

Senior NSW upper house Liberal Damien Tudehope has been giving evidence to the NSW Icac’s Operation Rosny.

Tudehope has described how Reformers Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis worked as staffers in his ministerial office. He says Jean-Claude, who previously worked in his electorate office, had a “real talent” for the annual recruitment and renewal of Liberal party members, which he says is important for parliamentarians looking to keep hold of their seats.

But he said there was an incident in which his chief of staff “blew up” about staffers, who may have included Ellis and Jean-Claude Perrottet, who had spent ministerial working hours on recruitment, against the code of conduct for staffers.

He has admitted to speaking at Reformers recruitment events, defending himself as a “warrior for social issues for the party”. After being shown evidence of a bank transfer and a message in which Jean-Claude Perrottet wrote that “Damien” had paid for a venue for an event, he has conceded he may have made payments to support the Reformers work.

Tudehope has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Damien Tudehope arrives at the NSW Icac’s Operation Rosny hearings. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Jack Snape

Australian swimmer Cooper leaves leadership role after drinking session

Gold medal-winning swimmer Isaac Cooper has stepped down from Australian swimming’s leadership group after missing the final night of competition at the Commonwealth Games, having instead participated in a drinking session.

Isaac Cooper. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA

The 22-year-old was absent as the swim meet concluded at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and also missed a subsequent team wrap-up meeting. He was seen drinking in Glasgow while teammates were competing, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Isaac did not attend the final night of the swimming competition or final team meeting in Glasgow which is in conflict with team expectations,” a statement from Swimming Australia said. “Isaac has since voluntarily stood down from the team’s athlete leadership group.”

Read more here:

Expert warns too late to vaccinate St Kilda's little penguins at risk of bird flu

Achol Arok

Ecologist Lana Austin, from conservation group Earthcare St Kilda, said bird flu was likely to arrive at a little penguin colony in Melbourne’s bayside area, which is home to about 1,400 of the birds.

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday, Austin said she was “pretty worried because I don’t want to lose one bird”, and that efforts to protect the colony would require “a whole ecosystem response”. She said:

double quotation markWe need to be concerned at St Kilda, not just for penguins, but for all the other wildlife that hang out in Port Phillip Bay generally. So, we have dolphins, seals, rakali, which is a native water rat. It’s very likely that they will also be affected.

Austin said it was unclear how bad the impact of the virus would be on the colony, due to a lack of data for little penguins, and that authorities had “probably missed the boat” on vaccination efforts.

double quotation markArthur Rylah [Institute] did a great risk assessment early last year where they looked into vaccination possibility … It did have some good effects and birds had some resilience and immunity to the disease. However, it had to be introduced before bird flu arrived. We have missed the vaccination boat and it’s more just about managing it once it arrives.

Benita Kolovos

Victorian premier says AI portfolio will focus on ‘guardrails’ and reform

Ben Carroll held a press conference earlier after his major cabinet overhaul. He says his new AI portfolio – held by Anthony Carbines – will be working on “guardrails and regulatory reform” in the sector.

He went on:

double quotation markArtificial intelligence is the biggest transformation going through society and the economy right now. My government will be focused on workers. Artificial intelligence is a great opportunity, but it also needs guardrails and regulatory reform. So I want a voice at the cabinet table on that.

Asked whether the AI minister would be responsible for approving datacentres, he replied:

double quotation markI’ll have more to say on that later. Except to say, we need guardrails, whether it’s datacentres, whether it’s AI, and it needs to make sure that workers are front and centre … Everything needs to be considered on its merits. Needs to be considered wisely. Its economic impact, its environment impact, its amenity impact, and what is best for that Victorian community.

Victorian premier Ben Carroll. Photograph: Jay Kogler/AAP

Record number of complaints about financial products

Patrick Commins

Australians lodged nearly 120,000 complaints with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in the most recent financial year, a record number that reflects the intense economic pressures being felt across the community.

That was about 20% more than the previous financial year, according to the preliminary numbers.

Personal transaction accounts, car insurance and credit cards were the most complained about products in 2025-26, AFCA said.

Complaints relating to the way banks dealt with customers in financial difficulty jumped by 17% in the year, and credit reporting complaints by 22%, AFCA said.

But AFCA said the largest growth was driven by major investment failures and rising superannuation disputes, most notably the collapses of the Shield Master Fund and First Guardian.

Complaints alleging failure to act in the client’s best interest remain the top issue with a 65 per cent increase on last year, up to 2081.

Deborah Jenkins, AFCA’s chief customer officer, said:

double quotation markWhile most financial advice firms do the right thing, we are seeing a significant number of complaints stem from major financial collapses that have affected thousands of consumers. These matters are complex and can be incredibly stressful for individuals and their families.

Benita Kolovos

Returning to government house, where new Victorian premier Ben Carroll’s cabinet has been sworn in.

Interestingly, there is no minister for transport infrastructure or the Suburban Rail Loop – a costly and controversial project Carroll is considering reviewing.

Gabrielle Williams previously held the transport infrastructure portfolio while Nick Staikos held SRL, as well as housing and building. Staikos will keep the latter two and adds precincts, homelessness and seniors under Carroll’s reshuffle.

Two other portfolios that were only created in April by former premier Jacinta Allan – men and boys and cost of living – also appear to be scrapped. The former was the first time an Australian government had signalled a focus on countering the impact of rightwing influencers and the manosphere.

The corresponding portfolio of women and girls was held by Williams but now under Carroll it has returned to “women and gender equality”.

Ingrid Sitt, meanwhile, has taken on health, ambulance services and retains mental health and special minister for state.

Jaclyn Symes – who lost treasury – takes on the environment and energy, two complex portfolios.

Victorian deputy premier Gabrielle Williams. Photograph: Jay Kogler/AAP

Penry Buckley

Businessman believes fellow Liberal passed on details of Reformers request to ABC

The inquiry hears that Maré told a fellow Liberal about the Reformers request. Counsel assisting, Juliet Curtin, reads out a text message from the friend, in which he says:

double quotation markBy the way, still can’t believe that approach due by Christian Ellis and [Jean-Claude] Perrottet was thinking $50,000 would stack more than Alex Hawke’s seat. I reckon it would actually be to supplement their incomes. I understand Ellis has been buying up property.

Asked if he believed the Reformers he met with were asking for money for personal use, Maré says he thought they were “genuine” at the time.

Maré says he believes the fellow Liberal he had shared the request with then passed on the the details with the ABC. “Shortly thereafter, I had a call from the ABC,” he says.

Corruption inquiry hears about request for $50,000 to branch stack against federal member

Penry Buckley

Retired businessman Frits Maré has been telling the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) about a 2020 meeting in which Reformers Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis asked him to contribute $50,000 to an operation to unseat the Liberal member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.

On Monday, Reformer Robert Assaf told the commission he was concerned that the Perrottets, including former premier Dominic Perrottet and brothers Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet, had a “vendetta” against Hawke, who had “backstabbed Dom” and become a “kingmaker” in the party.

Neither Hawke nor Dominic Perrottet is accused of any wrongdoing. Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Maré, a Liberal party member who is not named in any allegations and is not accused of any wrongdoing, described meeting Jean-Claude Perrottet at Young Liberals fundraiser in 2019. After repeated attempts by Jean-Claude Perrottet to set up a meeting, Maré met with him and Ellis at Maré’s office in May 2020.

He says the men asked him for $50,000 to fund a call centre to sign up new members at the party, so that they could “get enough people to challenge Alex Hawke in his seat and then vote him out”.

“I found it strange,” says Maré. “I thought the sitting member was doing a good job in parliament.”

Maré said he asked the men if they had budgeted how they would spend the $50,000. He says Ellis said “he hadn’t done a budget, but he’d go and do one”, but Maré declined their request for a contribution. “For the record, I never paid the money. I never caused it to be paid by anyone else or by a corporation,” he says.

Frits Maré. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Tom McIlroy

Gambling companies grilled over VIP accounts

Tabcorp and Sportbet are being asked to explain their offerings to so-called VIP customers, under some intense questioning from Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Tabcorp’s Julian Whealing says his company has 800,000 active customers, of which about 400 are classified as VIPs.

Whealing says he does not know exactly how many account managers are employed by the company but estimates it is around 20 people. He stresses they do not receive incentive payments or bonuses based on recruitment of customers or on customer spending.

Jules Norton Selzer, director of corporate affairs for Sportsbet, says his firm has about the same number of account managers.

Hanson-Young asks Norton Selzer if account managers ever ask customers if they want drugs.

“I don’t accept that characterisation,” he says. “We’re a legal, licensed, regulated product.”

He says Sportsbet adheres to dozens of regulatory requirements across federal and state laws.

The inquiry was told yesterday that VIP account managers for unnamed gambling companies had provided drugs, alcohol and access to sex workers to customers, to try to keep them betting. No companies were specifically identified in Monday’s evidence.

Tabcorp venue in Brisbane. Photograph: Darren England/AAP