Phone taps reveal how political donations really work in Victoria

In the recording, Mr Staindl explains he told the journalist that he (Mr Staindl) had organised the fundraiser, that multiple businesses had attended and donated, and that Mr Woodman’s company Watsons had bought only four tickets.

“I didn’t tell him [the journalist] they [Watsons] may have bought all of them.”

In response, Mr Woodman attempted to recall the Crown event. “We auctioned a helicopter ride ... I can’t remember, geeze, we've run so many of these things.”

Mr Staindl replied that it was good The Age was only aware of one fundraiser: “I felt like saying to [the journalist] ‘F---, you’ve only found out about one?'” Mr Woodman replied, amid laughter: “Haha, yeah, what about the other 20?”

In the recording, Mr Staindl said The Age’s story would give the impression that Mr Woodman was raising funds for Labor MPs in order to give him “undue access and influence”.

“Which is exactly right,” Mr Woodman says in reply, before both he and Mr Staindl erupt with laughter.

Developer and planner John Woodman is accused of bribing two councillors, Liberal-linked former mayors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett. With a team including Mr Staindl, Mr Woodman also showered Labor and Liberal MPs and candidates with donations in a bid to win lucrative planning approvals.

Among the many fundraiser events highlighted by IBAC on Tuesday were events held to raise money for now Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier James Merlino. IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich, QC, and his counsel assisting, Michael Tovey, QC, spent much of the day quizzing Mr Staindl on the role of lobbying in Victorian state politics.

Mr Staindl, a lifetime ALP member, has been for many years one of the most influential Labor-connected lobbyists in Victoria. The state lobbyists register lists his clients as including Metro Trains, Alex Fraser Recycling and Hanson Quarry Services.

Mr Staindl worked with Mr Woodman to raise tens of thousands of dollars for Labor candidates ahead of the 2018 state election. In total Mr Woodman tipped in more than $150,000 into Labor’s 2018 campaign.

Mr Tovey asked Mr Staindl about whether this was something he had “brought up with the Premier [Daniel Andrews] at a function that you attended, in order to demonstrate to him the value that you had been to the party”.

“Yes well it’s a selling point for a client,” Mr Staindl replied.

Mr Staindl also revealed that Mr Woodman’s lawyer and planning consultant Megan Schutz – a former state planning department bureaucrat – would do her own lobbying on the developer’s behalf.

“There were occasions where Ms Schutz would make direct contact with various ministers’ offices where she had contacts,” Mr Staindl said.