Cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos has again denied wrongdoing as he enlists lawyers to fight a NSW Electoral Commission report.
Senator Sinodinos is seeking a retraction of references to himself in the report that he says uses loose language, which could convey erroneous impressions over the NSW political donations scandal.
The commission is refusing to pay the Liberals more than $4.4 million until it reveals the identities of secret donors who poured about $700,000 into the party's coffers ahead of the 2011 state election, when Senator Sinodinos was its treasurer and finance director.
related reading
Bishop's days as MP numbered, poll shows
"Despite what Labor says, the NSW Electoral Commission decision does not accuse me of setting up a slush fund or breaking the law," he said in a statement on Saturday.
"I have never been accused of corruption. I deny any wrongdoing or illegality."
Senator Sinodinos has personally, and through a seven-page letter from his lawyers released on Friday night, called for a retraction of references to himself in the commission report which was made public on Wednesday.
He earlier slammed the report as "flawed", believing it erroneously conveys that he knowingly disguised donations.
Senator Sinodinos has also refused to respond to "unsubstantiated rumours, gossip or scuttlebutt" published in the wake of the report, which has again prompted calls for him to resign or be stood aside.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of protecting the senator by refusing to stand him aside.
related reading
Labor wants marriage vote before election
Mr Turnbull isn't prepared to take action against his "numbers man" because he needs him in the face of a resurgent right wing of the Liberal Party, she said.
"The only conclusion you can draw about the fact that Mr Turnbull is not prepared to act to stand Senator Sinodinos aside is that he can't afford to," she told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
