Senior Liberal Party figures including Senator Arthur Sinodinos were present during discussions about a front organisation being used to receive potentially illegal political donations and send the money back to NSW, a corruption inquiry has heard.

Paul Nicolaou, the NSW Liberals' former chief fund-raiser, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption on Friday that he suggested an "idea" for a Canberra-based organisation called the Free Enterprise Foundation to receive otherwise banned donations.

In attendance: Arthur Sinodinos. Credit:Chris Pearce

In other evidence, NSW Liberal Party finance director Simon McInnes said he raised concerns with Mr Nicolaou about the foundation and was told "what Hartcher wants, Hartcher gets", a reference to former energy minister Chris Hartcher.

Meanwhile media organisations have joined forces at the inquiry to fight a suppression order over a controversial chain of emails involving a "very well-known person" and a Liberal identity.