The short version
- The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption heard testimony alleging that Charles Perrottet discussed political strategies with a fugitive developer in exchange for financial support.
- Perrottet denied requesting payments for political outcomes, describing his communications as adding a political flavor to legitimate consulting follow-ups.
- Investigators highlighted a timeline where messages promising the isolation of a rival minister preceded significant deposits into accounts controlled by Perrottet's associates.
The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption is examining allegations that senior Liberal Party figures accepted prohibited donations from a property developer in exchange for specific political advantages. The inquiry focuses on interactions between Charles Perrottet, the younger brother of former Premier Dominic Perrottet, and Jean Nassif, the founder of Toplace Developments. Investigators are probing whether payments totaling approximately two million Australian dollars were made to influence branch stacking efforts and remove officials who had opposed Nassif’s building projects or scrutinized construction defects.
Central to the current phase of the investigation is a dinner meeting held in May 2021 at Nobu restaurant within the Crown Casino complex in Melbourne. During this encounter, Perrottet and Nassif discussed strategies to undermine David Elliott, a former Liberal minister who had resisted Nassif’s developments. Following the meal, Perrottet sent a message to a Toplace executive outlining a plan to dismantle Elliott’s political infrastructure by securing payments from specific development projects. The communication suggested that isolating Elliott would leave him politically vulnerable.
The inquiry has established that the references in Perrottet’s message to project codes corresponded to Toplace developments. Shortly after this exchange, a deposit of 150,000 Australian dollars was made to Beckington, a lobbying firm controlled by Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood, both of whom are also subjects of the investigation. Two days later, Perrottet sent a message thanking Nassif for his support and noting that the Baulkham Hills branch had been suspended, implying progress in the political maneuvering discussed previously.
Under questioning by counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC, Perrottet maintained that he never requested payments in return for political outcomes. He characterized his communications with Nassif as efforts to add a political dimension to follow-ups regarding legitimate consulting work performed by Beckington. Perrottet argued that he was managing the relationship with the developer while ensuring that genuine business inquiries were pursued, denying any quid pro quo arrangement despite the timing of the financial transactions.
Dwyer challenged this narrative, expressing frustration with what she described as obfuscation regarding the nature of the exchanges. She pointed out the apparent contradiction between Perrottet’s claims of innocent consulting and the explicit language used in his messages to Nassif about isolating a political rival. The counsel assisting emphasized that the sequence of events—strategic advice followed by financial deposits—suggested a coordinated effort to exchange money for political damage against Elliott.
The investigation also touched on the role of Anita Perrottet, Charles’s wife, who received payments from Beckington and another entity controlled by Greenwood. Anita Perrottet previously told the commission that an invoice for 150,000 Australian dollars covered strategic advice she provided to a different client, Greyhound Racing NSW. When asked if his wife had misrepresented the source of the funds, Charles Perrottet stated he was unsure how much information he had shared with her regarding the true nature of the payments.
Jean Nassif, who left Australia for Lebanon in 2022, has not appeared before the commission as scheduled. His withdrawal from a planned videolink testimony followed the submission of a medical certificate. Nassif departed the country after an investigation revealed numerous defects in residential buildings constructed by Toplace and amid growing political scrutiny. Although police issued an arrest warrant for him in 2023 on fraud allegations, he has not been formally charged and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
The broader context of this inquiry involves systemic concerns about corruption within the New South Wales Liberal Party. The allegations suggest a pattern where developers may have used financial contributions to influence internal party dynamics and remove officials who posed obstacles to their business interests. As the commission continues its examination, it aims to clarify whether these interactions constituted illegal bribery or permissible political engagement, with significant implications for the integrity of state governance.
The next phase of the inquiry will likely involve further testimony from associates and a deeper analysis of financial records linking Toplace to the lobbying firms involved. The outcome could determine whether criminal charges are pursued against those accused of facilitating prohibited donations. For now, the commission remains focused on establishing the factual basis of these exchanges and assessing the extent to which political outcomes were traded for financial support.
This case highlights the complexities of regulating political financing in Australia, where the line between legitimate lobbying and corrupt influence can be difficult to define. The scrutiny of high-profile figures like Charles Perrottet underscores the commission’s commitment to investigating allegations regardless of the individuals’ connections to power. As evidence mounts, the public awaits a clearer picture of how these interactions affected political decisions and the careers of elected officials.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Charles Perrottet told fugitive developer plan at Nobu dinner to have NSW MP ‘on his knees’, Icac hears
