Our
team
team

The Hon Craig Laundy

The Hon Jaala Pulford

Joseph Tannous

Tanya Raffoul
The Hon Craig Laundy
Co-Chairman
Member of the Advisory Board
Craig brings a wealth of experience in politics and business to his role as Co-Chairman.
He was elected as a Federal Liberal MP in 2013 after winning the long held marginal ALP seat of Reid in Sydney’s inner west - and he increased the winning margin at the 2016 election.
Craig was Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the Turnbull Government, Chair of the House Economics Committee and a member of the select committee for Public Accounts and Audit. He was Minister for Small and Family Business, Industrial Relations and Deregulation and Assistant Minister for Industry Innovation and Science in the Turnbull Government.
Craig has been a key driver of growth in the family business, Laundy Hotel Group, initially between 1992 and 2012 before re-joining in 2018 after his stint in Federal politics.
The Hon Jaala Pulford
Member of the Advisory Board Victoria
Jaala Pulford brings a wealth of expertise to her role, drawing from an illustrious career that spans over 16 years in cabinet government and public administration. Serving as the Member for Western Victoria in the Victorian Parliament from 2006 to 2022, Jaala held multiple portfolios; these include Minister for Resources; Minister for Employment; Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy; and Minister for Small Business. Her leadership in these roles was instrumental in shaping policy and driving change across various sectors. After leaving parliament in 2022, Jaala transitioned into a multifaceted career as a Chair, Non-Executive Director, and strategic advisor. She also holds the position of Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne and serves as the Chair of MTP Connect, Australia’s premier life sciences innovation centre, further solidifying her commitment to fostering innovation and development in the scientific community.
Joseph Tannous
Founder
Executive Director
First elected to public office in 1999. Joseph was the then youngest Mayor in New South Wales.
His more than two decades of service at senior levels of the Liberal Party include serving on the NSW State Executive and successfully managing targeted seats campaigns at State and Federal elections.
Joseph has managed several successful campaigns resulting in the election of candidates to parliament.
Through his long and successful contributions to the political processes across all levels of government, Joseph has developed proactive working relationships with leaders at all levels of the political spectrum.
This combination of experience, personal rapport, and an instinct for what could and should be done to improve public policy has made Joseph a highly regarded advocate and a trusted political advisor.
In 2011, Joseph founded Cornerstone Group a national bipartisan firm. For more than a decade, he has worked with and advised a range of major private sector corporations.
Today, Cornerstone is one of the leading national firms delivering client focused outcomes across the political spectrum.
Joseph brings insight to the complex nature of government and has developed trusted working relationships with leaders in government. He knows how to unpack the complexities of Government leading to successful outcomes through his experience in advocacy, strong partnership and public policy making.
Tanya Raffoul
Director of Government Relations,
Communications and Crisis Management
Tanya is a highly regarded leader with extensive expertise in public policy, advocacy and strategic communications.
Over nine years in the NSW Government, she advised Ministers for Police, Emergency Services, Transport, Veterans and Justice, as Chief of Staff across multiple portfolios.
Tanya has delivered results in high-pressure environments, leading complex policy agendas and media strategies during the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Tanya coordinated real-time stakeholder briefings, managed multi-agency communications and ensured clear, consistent messaging. She also authored the NSW Government’s submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, guiding consultations with veteran welfare groups and legal experts.
Beyond the public sector, Tanya’s experience spans defence, legal, health, education and not-for-profit. As Head of Communications at RSL LifeCare, she overhauled media engagement and built crisis response frameworks. At Service & Creative Skills Australia, she crafted a government relations strategy, drafted federal consultation papers and chaired roundtables on workforce reform.
Early in her career, Tanya practised tax and corporate law with Herbert Smith Freehills and PwC, sharpening her analytical rigour and commercial acumen.
At Cornerstone, she will oversee strategy and operations across our client portfolio enhancing Communications and Crisis Management services, developing cutting-edge media strategies, bespoke stakeholder engagement plans and rapid response protocols to help clients navigate a complex political and regulatory landscape.
Elected Councillor for Dundas Ward on City of Parramatta Council in 2024, Tanya advocates for inclusive community services and local infrastructure. She has served on the boards of Motorcycling NSW and regional rugby clubs, applying her governance expertise to drive sustainable growth and community participation. Her relationship-building skills, strategic insight and leadership will significantly enhance Cornerstone’s ability to deliver innovative, results-driven solutions.

Graham Perrett

Keren Davies

Jason Falinski

Taylee Lewis
Graham Perrett
Director,
Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement.
Graham is an experienced adviser and respected advocate with deep expertise in public policy and government processes.
As a former federal Labor MP, Shadow Assistant Minister and Government Whip, he brings 18 years of distinguished parliamentary service in key leadership roles. His career is defined by a steadfast commitment to bipartisan advocacy, community engagement and delivering sustainable policy outcomes. He excels in government relations, stakeholder engagement, legislative reform and public policy—skills he refined as a parliamentarian, solicitor, policy adviser and educator.
With more than 30 years’ experience in politics and law, Graham consistently delivers results in high-pressure environments through a calm, tactful, firm and empathetic approach. He champions social justice by promoting equity and opportunity while maintaining a clear focus on client outcomes.
Graham communicates effectively, both in writing and orally, and has honed his mediation skills throughout his political, legal and advisory roles.
During his time as a federal representative and in the Queensland Government, Graham has managed complex political matters efficiently, handled heavy workloads and navigated high-stakes caseloads without compromising quality.
He has prepared, calibrated and evaluated submissions to parliamentary inquiries. At Cornerstone, he will guide clients through Australia’s complex political and regulatory landscape.
His broad interests have led him to serve as a board member of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, president of the Parliamentarians for Diabetes Global Network, a Flight Lieutenant legal officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and he is a published author.
Graham’s strong political networks, relationship-building skills, strategic insight and leadership will enhance Cornerstone’s capacity to deliver innovative, results-driven solutions.
Keren Davies
Senior Associate
Keren is a highly regarded government affairs professional recognised for her broad knowledge and expertise across law, communications, government policy, corporate affairs and international diplomacy.
As a former adviser and advocate with the Australian Mission to the United Nations New York, and senior lawyer and corporate affairs adviser to Telstra, Keren has a strong track record in advocacy and deep understanding of government and commercial imperatives, including those specific to the tech sector.
Through her advisory positions with the NSW Government Chief Digital team and Justice Department, Keren has further honed expertise across policy development, implementation and articulation, playing a pivotal role in major reforms and projects.
Keren has degrees in Law and Arts (majoring in Economics) from Sydney University and a certificate in International Affairs from New York University.
Jason Falinski
Special Counsel
Jason served as a member of the Australian Parliament until 2022. During his tenure, he chaired two significant economic oversight committees: the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics and the Committee on Tax and Revenue. Under his leadership, seven parliamentary reports were produced, covering diverse topics such as housing affordability, taxpayer advocacy, common ownership, and retail corporate bonds.
Jason's extensive experience on these committees equips him to provide comprehensive briefings on procedural rules, common risks, and committee dynamics.
He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics from the University of Sydney, a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management, and graduate diplomas from the Securities Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Additionally, he has completed a course at Cambridge University on transitioning to NetZero.
Taylee Lewis
Head of Corporate Affairs
Europe
Taylee is a corporate affairs specialist with experience across Fortune 500 companies, multinationals and securities exchanges and current President of the Australia Italy Business Association. She was a senior consultant for a leading Washington-based public affairs firm and has worked on a number of high profile cases relating to cross-border shareholder disputes, patent infringements and mergers and acquisitions.
Taylee was previously a finance journalist for leading investment publications. She is based between Sydney and Milan, providing support to Cornerstone’s European-based clients and is also a specialist in assisting Italian firms enter and expand operations within the Australian market.

John Abi-Saab

Andrew Morton
John Abi-Saab
Senior Associate
John has diverse and deep experience in government, educational leadership, law, and business administration. Most recently, he served as the Senior Policy Advisor and Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement for the Minister of Transport, Veterans, and Western Sydney. In this role, John managed significant responsibilities related to major transport infrastructure projects, including the Sydney Metro project valued at $66 billion, the $2 billion Zero Emission Buses program, and the $1 billion Point to Point Industry compensation package and associated reforms. His extensive professional background, ability to navigate complex challenges, and commitment to innovation and excellence make him an invaluable asset to our clients and our team.
Andrew Morton
Associate
Andrew is a multifaceted professional with extensive experience in multiple sectors. Prior to joining Cornerstone, he dedicated over a decade to a leading retailer, serving as an in-house trainer and Quality Assurance analyst. In this position, he developed and implemented comprehensive policies, procedures, and training programs, and managed several business expansion projects. Andrew excels in drafting policies and procedures, providing digital marketing and communications support, and creating proposals and presentations. He plays a crucial role in offering research and policy advice across various industries, demonstrating his versatility and dynamic approach. Andrew attended Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, enrolled in the journalism stream of the B.A (Communications) program.