Lead

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has opened a marathon eight-week public inquiry, codenamed Operation Rosny, examining the relationship between a fugitive property developer, Liberal Party operatives and alleged breaches of NSW electoral laws. Over the first weeks of evidence, the inquiry has heard allegations of branch stacking, secret recordings and questionable donations, with both ABC Australia and The Guardian reporting on the proceedings.

Coverage comparison

ABC Australia's coverage has focused on the core allegations: that ICAC is probing how property developer Jean Nassif, now a fugitive in Lebanon, interacted with Liberal Party operatives, and whether electoral laws were breached. The public broadcaster highlighted phone taps that revealed "explosive" conversations, including an offer of $100,000 to support the Liberal preselection of one of former premier Dominic Perrottet's brothers. The Guardian's reporting has taken a broader angle, covering allegations of branch stacking and corruption within the NSW Liberal Party, Nassif's boasts about his influence on the state government, and what it describes as a scheme by a group known as the Reformers to take over the party and promote a conservative agenda. The Guardian also reported claims of sham payments, illegal donations, and allegations of blackmail and corrupt conduct involving Labor councillors at Strathfield council.

Key claims

  • ICAC is examining the relationship between fugitive property developer Jean Nassif and Liberal Party operatives, along with alleged breaches of NSW electoral laws, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Phone taps played during the inquiry captured Nassif offering $100,000 to support the Liberal preselection of one of Dominic Perrottet's brothers, according to both ABC Australia and The Guardian.
  • The ICAC is investigating whether Charles Perrottet, another brother, and others were involved in donations from Nassif or his company for branch-stacking, ABC Australia reported.
  • Recordings revealed Nassif boasting about his influence on the state government, including claims he had "my hands on the state government" and had "fucked" the career of a state politician, as reported by The Guardian.
  • The Guardian reported allegations that a group called the Reformers, which included two of Dominic Perrottet's brothers and PR firm principals, solicited money from prohibited donors and disguised political donations through companies and sham invoices to build their influence.
  • ABC Australia reported that Jean-Claude Perrottet, when asked about the $100,000 offer, said he did not know what Nassif was talking about, adding it "makes no sense."
  • The Guardian reported that Dominic Perrottet, who referred the allegations to ICAC in 2022, is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Perspectives

ICAC's counsel assisting: The inquiry's opening address by Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, as reported by The Guardian, laid out allegations in detail, claiming Nassif used his millions to engage the services of Liberal operatives known as the Reformers, who ran a major branch stacking operation designed to take over the Liberal Party and promote a conservative agenda while delivering outcomes for their benefactor.

Jean-Claude Perrottet's response: Responding to the recorded $100,000 offer, Jean-Claude Perrottet said, "I don't know what he's talking about … It's clear it makes no sense," as reported by ABC Australia. He is not accused of wrongdoing, and Dominic Perrottet is also not accused of any wrongdoing.