Mysterious donation sparks Liberal Party infighting

A MYSTERIOUS $1200 donation appears to have sparked Liberal Party infighting in Geelong.

The Victorian division of the Liberal Party of Australia issued an urgent ‘please ex- plain’ to its Corio branch last week over financial transparency concerns.

The ‘please explain’ came in the form of an email from head of membership and party affairs Nick Tragas to Corio Federal Electoral Conference (FEC) treasurer John Gillett, referring to concerns raised by Portarlington branch secretary Denis O’Bryan.

“Concerns have been raised with me in relation to financial transparency for an amount of $1200 donated by the Portarlington Branch to Corio FEC for the 2016 Federal campaign,” Mr Tragas said.

“The allegation is in your capacity as Treasurer of the Corio FEC you have refused to co-operate with the Portarlington Branch in relation to the $1200 donated.”

Mr Tragas then requested acknowledgment the Corio FEC received the money, confirmation of the FEC’s bank account, information on what the $1200 was spent on for the 2016 election campaign, and a copy of the treasurer’s report from the 2017 Corio AGM.

Mr Tragas sent the email to Mr Gillet on Wednesday, June 6.

Mr Gillett was contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.