The corruption watchdog has heard that fugitive developer Jean Nassif allegedly sought to use former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet’s brothers to influence government decisions.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating alleged breaches of state electoral funding laws and possible corrupt conduct.
The eight-week public inquiry, Operation Rosny, will examine allegations of unlawful political donations, including whether banned donations were concealed through third parties or companies and whether they were used to recruit or renew NSW Liberal Party members.
In her opening statement on Monday, Counsel Assisting the Commission Peggy Dwyer SC said phone intercepts allegedly showed Jean Nassif was in contact with both Jean-Claude Perrottet and Charles Perrottet.
Dominic Perrottet, who referred the allegations to ICAC, is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif allegedly fled to Lebanon. (Facebook: Toplace)
Dr Dwyer said she was first alerted to allegations by NSW Police a day before the allegations were made public by MP Ray Williams, in a speech given under parliamentary privilege in June 2022.
“WhatsApp conversations and telephone interception indicated that Charles Perrottet may have used his position within the Liberal Party to benefit the business interests of Mr Nassif,” Dr Dwyer said.
It was alleged the fugitive developer, who fled to Lebanon, tried to leverage his connection to the former premier in an effort to have former building commissioner David Chandler removed.
Under NSW law, property developers and anyone donating on their behalf are prohibited from making political donations.
In her speech, Dr Dwyer said electoral funding laws were designed to promote public confidence in politicians.
“Money in politics, as in other spheres of life, has the potential to corrupt,” Dr Dwyer said.
“At a local, state and federal level, electoral funding laws play a vital role in minimising the risk of corruption by ensuring transparency and attempting to level the playing field.”
‘Filthy schools’ money’
The ICAC has heard allegations that members of the Liberal-aligned “Reformers” faction used companies, sham invoices and consulting agreements to disguise political donations, including payments allegedly channelled through Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW).
Reformers is a conservative Christian faction within the NSW Liberal Party that was actively recruiting and renewing party branch members to build the base.
Counsel assisting said the commission would argue payments made by CSNSW and hotelier Michael O’Hara, a prohibited donor, were allegedly disguised as consulting retainers for work that was never carried out, allowing money to flow to senior Reformers figures.
Companies linked to lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood are also being investigated over whether they were used to conceal the true source of donations.
Mr Greenwood is the owner and sole employee of registered lobbying firm JPG Advisory.
The inquiry was also shown a text exchange in which Mr Greenwood joked with Jean-Claude Perrottet about handing over his “filthy schools’ money” and putting up with his “f***ing whining,” prompting Mr Perrottet to reply, “Don’t put that in writing.”
“It deletes,” Mr Greenwood responded.
Dr Dwyer said the exchange would form part of evidence the commission would rely on to argue those involved knew the arrangements were improper.
Figures reluctant to front ICAC
Several key figures have so far declined to give evidence at the inquiry, despite being asked to appear.
Dr Dwyer said Christian Ellis, now living in London, went to “significant lengths to avoid process servers” and had cited family commitments and the time zone difference for not participating in the inquiry.
Mr Ellis founded a Conservative Christian sub-faction within the NSW Liberal Party’s right called the NSW Reformers in 2018.
James Tudehope, son of sidelined Liberal frontbencher Damien Tudehope, has moved to New Zealand and did not agree to assist.
The key figures in ICAC investigation
Senior Liberal MLC Damien Tudehope stood aside from the frontbench and was not accused of wrongdoing but was expected to give evidence.
Dr Dwyer also told the ICAC that Charles Perrottet had refused to return to NSW from Melbourne for a previous parliamentary inquiry, while Jean-Claude Perrottet travelled to Fiji during that inquiry.
“Jean-Claude Perrottet, with financial assistance from others named in allegations, went to Fiji to sit out the month of the inquiry,” she said.