David Oneeglio: Tweed man fined for fake floods fundraising through Aussie Helper, Aussie Helping Hands
A prominent northern NSW conspiracy theorist with links to celebrity chef Pete Evans inappropriately used money donated to help victims of the catastrophic 2022 floods.
Regional News
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A Tweed man who is one of Australia’s most prominent conspiracy theorists inappropriately used money donated to help northern NSW flood victims.
Pottsville man David Oneeglio pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching the Collections Act 1966 at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday - conducting an unlawful appeal for support and failing to comply with lawful requirements.
The 48-year-old’s pleas came after an investigation by the Queensland Office of Fair Trading.
Oneeglio was prosecuted and fined $750 after requesting donations for the unregistered charities named Aussie Helper and Aussie Helping Hands without approval.
In March and April 2022, Oneeglio made numerous statements on social media and websites asking for donations to assist flood-affected communities around Lismore, the court heard.
Oneeglio’s connection to Aussie Helping Hands was brought into question after concerns arose about donations not being used correctly.
The court found Aussie Helpers and Aussie Helping Hands were not registered or approved to fundraise or collect donations.
As a result of the investigations, three bank accounts containing donations were frozen.
The OFT has stated it will transfer donations to the Public Trustee to give to relevant charities.
Oneeglio of northern NSW is friends with controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans and has attracted public attention as a conspiracy theorist and anti-government activist. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Evans.
Oneeglio’s anti-vaccination views made headlines in December when it was revealed Gareth Train – one of three people who killed two police officers and a bystander in the Western Downs – was a member of his Telegram channel, which had tens of thousands of followers.
Oneeglio shared a headline about the siege on Telegram and claimed people had predicted the gunmen would be “painted as far right extremists”.
“What I am saying is that no tragedy or crisis is allowed to go to waste and the war on conservatives continues,” he said.
“Maybe the gunmen were far right. Maybe they were not.”
There is no suggestion Oneeglio had any knowledge of the intentions of Gareth Train, or the others killed in the shootout.
On the back of Oneeglio’s case, Queensland Fair Trading Commissioner Victoria Thomson warned about people taking advantage of natural disasters.
She said “opportunistic” people follow natural disasters such as flooding, cyclones and fires.
“And we know that when communities are in need, Australians dig deep,” Ms Thomson said.
“However, you need to know where your money is going before you donate. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to go online and check if the charity is registered before you donate.
“Importantly, if you are thinking of starting up an appeal or fundraising – make sure you have the right authorisation.”
Legitimate charities are registered. Visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) website.
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