{
  "id": 9677741,
  "title": "One Nation admits using party funds to build $56,000 shed on James Ashby’s private property",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/one-nation-admits-using-party-funds-to-build-56-000-shed-on-james",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T02:19:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/25/one-nation-admits-to-using-party-funds-to-build-56000-shed-on-james-ashbys-private-property-ntwnfb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "One Nation has admitted to using party funds to construct a $56,000 shed on James Ashby's private property. The revelation was first reported by Guardian Australia, which discovered that Small Batch Brewing Pty Ltd, a company affiliated with One Nation, was the buyer of the shed despite lacking a revenue stream and lacking a license to manufacture or sell alcohol. Ashby currently resides in the shed on his Yeppoon property as he undergoes renovations.\n\nA Thursday night email from One Nation's general manager, Kelvin Morton, announced that party funds had been utilized to build the shed. Morton stated that the national executive, which Ashby is a member of, had approved a \"reinvestment package\" for Small Batch Brewing to establish a micro distillery. The party hoped to generate income from the \"unconventional\" business venture as early as the following year.\n\nMorton explained that to minimize expenses, One Nation would loan Small Batch Brewing the establishment costs for the shed and distilling equipment, which could be placed on a member of the executive's property. While Small Batch Brewing may seem unconventional, Morton pointed out that other political parties had similar investments, such as the Labor party's licensed clubs and the Liberal party's software company Parakeelia.\n\nHowever, unlike those arrangements, ASIC documents reveal that Small Batch Brewing is privately owned by Ashby, Hanson, and the party's former treasurer Alex Jones, who are equal shareholders. Morton anticipates generating licensing revenue between $400,000 and $500,000 annually based on projected sales, which would represent a \"significant increase\" in alcohol revenue for One Nation, currently averaging $105,796 per year.\n\nThe party plans to utilize a contract brewer, CAVU based on the Sunshine Coast, to produce its line of alcoholic products. Morton expressed confidence in the business opportunity and the potential to bolster revenue and support future campaigns. Small Batch Brewing has engaged liquor licensing consultants to finalize licensing and ATO requirements before commencing production in 2027. The party expressed eagerness to provide further updates on the progress of the micro distillery and anticipated a special joint partnership spirit ahead of Christmas.",
  "summary": "Email to members says One Nation has loaned funds to a company linked to the party in order to build the structure and establish a micro distillery One Nation has admitted using party funds to build a $56,000 shed on James Ashby’s private property. The Guardian revealed on Monday that a company linked to One Nation - Small Batch Brewing Pty Ltd - was the purchaser of the shed on Ashby’s property…",
  "key_points": [
    "One Nation used party funds to build $56,000 shed on James Ashby's property.",
    "Small Batch Brewing, affiliated with One Nation, bought the shed with no revenue stream.",
    "Ashby resides in the shed while undergoing property renovations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "One Nation admits using party funds to build $56,000 shed on James Ashby’s private property",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/one-nation-admits-using-party-funds-to-build-56-000-shed-on-james-9679709",
        "published": "2026-09-25T02:19:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}