Lead

The New South Wales corruption inquiry has heard recorded phone calls in which fugitive property developer Jean Nassif offered to support the Liberal preselection of one of former premier Dominic Perrottet's brothers, according to evidence played to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Jean-Claude Perrottet, the former premier's brother, appeared before the inquiry this week, where he acknowledged that he sometimes carried out factional duties for the Reformers, a conservative Christian splinter group within the NSW Liberal Party's right faction, while working for veteran Liberal MP Damien Tudehope.

Coverage Comparison

Both reports from ABC Australia focus on the same set of revelations emerging from the ICAC inquiry. The first report centres on the phone taps involving Jean Nassif and Jean-Claude Perrottet, while the second report details Jean-Claude Perrottet's testimony about his factional work.

The inquiry is investigating whether people linked to the NSW Liberal Party solicited funds from prohibited donors and other sources to advance the interests of the Reformers faction, and whether donations linked to Mr Nassif were exchanged for political favours.

Key Claims

  • Jean-Claude Perrottet told the ICAC he performed factional duties for the Reformers while working for Damien Tudehope, sometimes during work hours in Mr Tudehope's office. Mr Tudehope has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
  • The allegations first came to light in a 2022 parliamentary speech by Liberal MP Ray Williams, who alleged that disgraced developer Jean Nassif had given money to some Liberal Party operatives in return for favourable outcomes for his developments in the Hills Shire area.
  • Phone taps played to the inquiry revealed that Jean Nassif offered to support the Liberal preselection of one of Dominic Perrottet's brothers, suggesting $100,000 could go to the preselection bid or be channelled through Liberal figures Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis.
In the recorded call from June 2021, Jean-Claude Perrottet discussed investment opportunities with Mr Nassif before the developer turned to politics. When asked which brother he was referring to, Mr Perrottet said: "I don't know what he's talking about to be honest. It's clear it makes no sense."

Counsel assisting the commission, Juliet Curtin, argued the call showed Reformers faction members were seeking financial backing for factional activities and that Mr Nassif was offering to contribute. Mr Perrottet rejected that interpretation, saying: "I just don't agree with that characterisation, this is obviously just nonsense. You can hear from my tone on the phone."

In another phone tap, Jean-Claude Perrottet was heard approaching Mr Nassif to discuss potential investment opportunities.

The inquiry also heard that Mr Nassif claimed he was being targeted by building commissioner David Chandler. In a separate allegation, Mr Nassif claimed that Matt Kean was working with David Elliott to replace Dominic Perrottet as premier.

Jean-Claude Perrottet was in Fiji during a previous parliamentary inquiry into the allegations, but is this week giving evidence to the ICAC. He held rosary beads and appeared frustrated at times during his testimony.

The inquiry heard that Mr Perrottet was "passionate" about his work trying to get right-wing control of Liberal Party branches. A 2019 text message between fellow Reformers Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood was read out, in which Mr Greenwood wrote: "Claude either needs a Valium or a break from the faction work to rest. The whole drive he was just muttering different movements into Pennant Hills and Cheltenham."

Mr Perrottet laughed after the text was read out and later said: "I like doing a good job, so when there's a task I like to achieve it, when there's something to be done I like to do it well."

The inquiry continues.