Ray Williams donation scandal: NSW Minister took thousands in secret payments from developers

EXCLUSIVE: Sensational leaked Liberal party documents reveal new NSW Multiculturalism Minister Ray Williams collected thousands of dollars in illegal donations from property developers.

• TELELEAKS: DONATIONS PART 1
• TELELEAKS: DONATIONS PART 2
• TELELEAKS: THE CHEQUEBOOK
• TELELEAKS: THE TRANSACTION LIST

SENSATIONAL leaked Liberal Party financial records ­reveal NSW Multiculturalism Minister Ray Williams has collected thousands of dollars in illegal donations from property developers.

The Daily Telegraph can today reveal Mr Williams — only recently promoted to the ministry by new Premier Gladys Berejiklian — took ­donations from some of Sydney’s most prominent property developers.

The Castle Hill MP funnelled some of the money through an organisation he founded called The Hawkesbury Club.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained the entire cache of Mr Williams’ internal campaign finance documents over a two-year period, including cheque stubs, transaction records and official Liberal Party receipts.

Mr Williams, speaking with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday during Parliament, funnelled some of the money through an organisation he founded called The Hawkesbury Club. Picture: Adam Taylor

Although Mr Williams last night denied “knowingly” receiving any prohibited donations, the documents outline payments to Mr Williams from at least 10 property developers between June 2012 and July 2013.

The payments escaped declaration laws because most of the donations amount to precisely $990 — just below the $1000 limit which requires public disclosure.

It can be ­revealed one donation from prominent property developer Peter McNamee in July 2013 totalled $1000 and was picked up by the Australian Electoral commission, which asked the Liberal party to repay the money. There are questions over 17 payments to Mr Williams comprising $16,830 — with each of these donations valuing of $990.

A cheque for $990 written by developer John Iori to pay for membership to the Hawkesbury Club.

Of the $16,830, The Daily Telegraph has confirmed at least $6500 was in fact donated by 10 property developers.

It is up to the Electoral Commission NSW to determine whether further donors fall into the definition of property developers.

Property developers, their spouses and associates were banned from donating to political parties in NSW in January 2010. Since the ban was introduced, 11 Liberal MPs have lost their jobs over allegations that they had been in receipt of prohibited donations. Despite an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry focusing on this issue in 2014, scrutiny never fell on Mr Williams.

The payments to Mr Williams escaped declaration laws because most of the donations amount to precisely $990 — just below the $1000 limit.

Mr Williams last night said he had “never knowingly ­received nor solicited a prohibited donation”.

“Any donations or contributions made to a conference I have been a representative of have been made directly to the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division),” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“Questions regarding donations should be directed to the Secretariat of the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW ­Division).”

Ms Berejiklian has asked the NSW Liberal Party to investigate Mr Williams.

“I expect all MPs to maintain the highest standards of integrity and to comply with all relevant donations requirements,” she said.

“Political donations are managed by the NSW Liberal Party and I have asked the Party to investigate these claims.

“If any allegations of wrongdoing emerge, they will be referred to the NSW Electoral Commission.”

Financial records show Mr Williams, a former Hills Shire Council councillor, raised $53,000 in the three years until April 2014. Documents show membership fees to The Hawkesbury Club were initially $1000, but were lowered to $990. Other property developers bypassed the club and made donations directly to the Hawkesbury SEC, where their donation was ­tabled on the official “transaction list report” and they were provided with an official Liberal Party of Australia ­receipt.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has asked the NSW Liberal Party to investigate

Financial records show Mr Williams raised $53,000 in the three years until April 2014. Picture: Adam Taylor

Property developers also attended fundraising events held by Mr Williams — such as the Hawkesbury Ball — where the identities of donors did not need to be declared with authorities.

It can also be revealed two Liberal Party officials, the ­incoming Hawkesbury SEC President Andrew Wind and Treasurer Judy Newland, both separately raised concerns with the Liberal Party’s NSW Finance Operations Director Simon McInnes about Mr Williams’ fundraising activity in early to mid 2014.

In the letters to the party officials, they claimed to have discovered a $24,495 “discrepancy” in donations that was unaccounted for.

They were also concerned that Mr Williams refused to hand over his full financial records and his “deposit” book. Dissatisfied with Mr McInnes response to his concerns, Mr Wind then wrote to Liberal Party state ­director Tony Nutt, now the federal director, in May 2014.

Bruce Lyon — donated $134

Michael Gremmo — donated $990.

“Given the current ICAC developments over party fundraising within the Liberal Party, I want to ensure that any such transaction should it take place is transparent, legitimate and within the constitutional framework of the NSW Liberal Party,” Mr Wind wrote.

“Given there has been some irregularities in terms of accounting for the claims against funds deposited (by Mr Williams) and the evidence for such in OCER, and the reluctance of the past Hawkesbury SEC Treasurer to pass on their deposit book, I am seeking your advice on whether this transfer of funds between OCER accounts should take effect as requested by Mr Williams.”

Jack Iori — donated $990.

Sandra Merhi, the wife of Tony Merhi (pictured) donated $134

Mr Wind quit the Liberal Party in mid 2016. He told The Daily Telegraph he was disappointed with its direction and the way it preselected candidates. Some of the developers who donated money to Mr Williams are among the Castle Hills’ districts most well-known names including John Iori, Joseph Saliba, Bruce Lyon, Peter McNamee, Tony Merhi and Michael Gremmo.

“I get on very well with Ray. I love him. I give him $990 every year,” Mr Iori said.

The Daily Telegraph is not suggesting the developers ­engaged in any wrongdoing.

MORE NEWS:

The onus falls on state politicians to ensure they are not in receipt of illegal donations.

It emerged earlier this week Mr Williams did not have a ministerial office ­despite his recent promotion to cabinet, which also includes the Disability Services portfolio. The documents obtained by The Daily Telegraph ­include a cheque showing property developer John Lori donated $990 on June 11 in 2013.

One of his developments was a boutique estate of 10 blocks at 32 Withers Rd in Kellyville. Financial records show Mr Saliba made two payments of $414 and $700 to the Hawkesbury SEC via a credit card deposit on July 8 in 2013 at 11.42am.

The Daily Telegraph ­understands there are some in the Liberal Party aware that Mr Williams had been in receipt of prohibited donations.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS AND NEWS ALERTS