Icac inquiry hears from Charles Perrottet over alleged hidden payments and NSW Liberal influence campaign
Charles Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, has given his first evidence to Icac about alleged undisclosed payments linked to developer Jean Nassif. The inquiry is probing whether the money was tied to political outcomes and personnel changes.
Australia's Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) heard its first evidence on Friday from Charles Perrottet, brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, a central figure in an inquiry that has run for almost four years.
The saga began with the dismissal of Hills Shire council and a late-night 2022 speech in NSW parliament alleging secret developer payments. It later expanded to an alleged pressure campaign to remove the state's then building commissioner, and has had real-world consequences including defective high-rise apartments and thousands of dissatisfied homebuyers, while the developer involved has since fled the country.
Charles Perrottet told the commission he met developer Jean Nassif, now a fugitive in Lebanon, in December 2019 and advised him over several years on progressing his projects. The two reportedly bonded over shared frustration with former MP David Elliott, a figure in a rival Liberal party faction.
Although Charles held a full-time role at BP, he told Icac he did not want to be paid directly, and instead arranged for his wife, Anita Perrottet, to be paid by parties connected to the group known as the Reformers. Icac is examining whether Nassif made an undeclared $2m political donation to the Reformers in pursuit of favourable political outcomes.
Anita Perrottet testified she received a combined $660,999 for consulting work for two clients but repeatedly said she could not recall specific details of the advice she gave. She initially denied knowing Nassif before being confronted with photographs and messages suggesting a closer relationship.
Former building commissioner David Chandler also gave evidence this week, describing a campaign he believed was aimed at removing him from his post. Former minister Eleni Petinos testified she believed she had been used in that campaign and dismissed abruptly. Neither Chandler nor Petinos, nor Dominic Perrottet, is under Icac investigation.
