‘Warring kingdoms’: Reformers co-founder compares NSW Liberal party factionalism to Braveheart

Robert Assaf, a co-founder of the conservative Liberal factional group the Reformers, likened the internal party disputes to the film "Braveheart." He testified before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that the group believed the law did not apply to their political funding activities.

Assaf, the first witness from the Reformers to appear before the ICAC, stated that while federal opposition leader Angus Taylor was not heavily involved, he "definitely wasn’t opposed" to the conservative group's work. The ICAC is currently investigating allegations that the Reformers solicited illegal donations.

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we didn’t think the law applied to us

The testimony comes as the ICAC probes the inner workings of a group of young conservative Liberal power brokers. Assaf's comparison highlights the intense factionalism within the NSW Liberal party, drawing parallels to historical conflicts.

The investigation into political funding practices raises significant questions about transparency and adherence to regulations within political organizations.

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definitely wasn’t opposed