One Nation admits using party funds to build $56,000 shed on James Ashby’s private property

One Nation has admitted spending party money on a $56,000 shed. The shed sits on private land owned by James Ashby. He is the party's national director and is living in the shed at Yeppoon, Queensland, during renovations. The party says the money was a loan to a linked company, Small Batch Brewing, to start a small distillery. The admission came in an email to members on Thursday night. General manager Kelvin Morton said the national executive agreed to the plan.

Guardian Australia first reported the shed on Monday. It found Small Batch Brewing bought the shed even though it had no income and no licence to make or sell alcohol. One Nation compared the deal to Labor's links to licensed clubs and the Liberal party's software firm. But the company still looks unusual for a political party. Questions remain about how the money will be used.

Political parties receive public funding and donations. Voters have a right to know whether that money is being spent on private property.