Image: NSW Premier Chris Minns. Image: Facebook
NSW Premier Chris Minns will not face any legal action in relation to historic political donations linked to his 2015 election campaign, while two former Labor figures have been charged over an alleged scheme to circumvent electoral funding laws.
The NSW Electoral Commission told a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday that former NSW Labor MP Ernest Wong and former Chinese Friends of Labor chairman Jonathan Yee had been charged by prosecutors and will face court on June 16. The charges relate to allegations they participated in a scheme to conceal the source of political donations made to Minns’ campaign for the seat of Kogarah.
It is alleged the pair were involved in arrangements to bypass provisions of the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act between October 2014 and August 2015.
The Electoral Commission said there were no further referrals for prosecution arising from its investigation. Commissioner Rachel McCallum said “only two” matters had been referred to prosecutors.
Asked whether other individuals were under investigation, McCallum said: “We don’t have any other active lines of investigation.”
The investigation stems from earlier findings and inquiries, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s Operation Aero, which examined illegal donations and straw donor arrangements involving property developers.
An affidavit from former Labor staffer David Latham, tendered to a parliamentary inquiry, alleged Minns had asked about how to handle unreceipted cash donations raised at a 2014 fundraiser.
The Premier has repeatedly denied those claims.
A spokesperson for Minns said the donations “were received in good faith at the time, but subsequently repaid”.
The Electoral Commission also told the hearing that material from the parliamentary inquiry was passed to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions between March and May this year, leading to the current charges.
In its statement, the commission said the investigation into the alleged scheme began in 2019 after concerns were identified relating to electoral funding compliance.
It later referred briefs of evidence for prosecution consideration in 2023 following further inquiry work.
Minns has not been charged or referred for prosecution. The Electoral Commission confirmed no ongoing investigation involves the Premier.
The matter is due before the court on June 16.
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