Pauline Hanson’s chief adviser, James Ashby, fined over plane investigation

Pauline Hanson’s chief adviser, James Ashby, has copped a $1000 fine and his company was convicted over his failure to promptly answer questions about an aircraft used by the One Nation leader to the Australian Electoral Commission.

At Maroochydore Magistrates Court in Queensland, Ashby pleaded guilty on behalf of Black Bull Qld Pty Ltd to failing to comply with a notice from the Australian Electoral Commission to provide documents about the plane within 10 days in July last year.

Ashby claimed the breach was only “technical”. He had instructed his lawyer Danny Eid to respond to the notice, but Mr Eid was travelling and did not see the email.

“My boss was sentenced to seven-year prison sentence at a time, so I’m well aware of the severity of the powers the Electoral Commission has, and that’s why I’ve always sought to comply with them,” Ashby told the court.

Prosecutor Jessica Tower did not accept Ashby’s characterisation of the offences as “trivial” or “technical”, but accepted there was no “premeditated conduct to wilfully hamper the AEC’s efforts”.

“Since the prosecution in this matter has commenced the defendant has made efforts to provide the information sought … however the value of that information is significantly diminished because the AEC’s investigation is concluded,” she said.

Ms Tower said the AEC’s financial transparency regime was “critical to maintaining transparency and public confidence in Australia’s democratic system” and those approached by the Commission “need to understand that responses are not optional”.

The AEC sought the information after an ABC Four Corners report raised questions about the Jabiru aircraft piloted by Ashby. It laid no charges as a result of the investigation.

Magistrate Rod Madsen convicted and fined Black Bull Qld $1000, and ordered it pay the prosecution’s $99.55 court filing fee.

Outside court, Ashby said he was “satisfied with the outcome” of the hearing.

“The judge could clearly see that this was not a case that had any malice or any direct intent to try and evade answering questions of the Australian Electoral Commission,” he said.

“He could have imposed a fine of $10,000 but could clearly see that wasn’t warranted and I’m very happy and satisfied with the $1000 fine against the company.”

The AEC had sought information from Black Bull Qld — a largely “dormant” company of which Mr Ashby is director, secretary and shareholder — because the staffer had mistakenly told the commission that it owned the plane. It was in fact owned by him personally.