The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) began hearings on Monday into allegations involving the NSW Liberal party, focusing on branch stacking and prohibited donations.
Group of young conservatives sought to move party right
Counsel assisting the commission, Peggy Dwyer SC, said a core group of young Liberal staffers and lobbyists called the "Reformers" included lobbyist Christian Ellis, consultant Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet. Another lobbyist, Jeremy Greenwood, allegedly facilitated their receipt of funds.
Dwyer said evidence would show senior politicians supported the Reformers by speaking at events or facilitating recruitment. The group hosted functions where former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott, broadcaster Alan Jones, and Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney spoke on conservative or religious issues.
Document outlined plan to recruit Christian conservatives
A document from when Ellis worked for federal Nationals senator Matt Canavan set out the mission: "taking back our nation through good government." It proposed recruiting 5,000 Christian conservatives to join NSW Liberal branches and take control of the party's NSW division.
Dwyer noted branch stacking is not inherently corrupt, but problems arise when funds come from prohibited donations, exceed caps, or come from prohibited donors.
Alleged illegal donations through companies
The commission will investigate whether companies like Beckington (set up by Greenwood and Ellis) were used to collect illegal donations. Catholic Schools NSW paid Beckington $130,900 over two years, then switched to JPG Advisory (Greenwood's company), paying $135,000 between 2021 and 2023. Dwyer said these payments for "no substantive services" amounted to a sham.
Donations also allegedly came from hotelier Michael O'Hara's company Paslibdan Pty Ltd, a prohibited donor.
Second allegation involves fugitive developer Jean Nassif
ICAC is examining whether fugitive property developer Jean Nassif and his company Toplace made prohibited donations in exchange for outcomes such as damaging the political career of former transport minister David Elliott and removing building commissioner David Chandler. Dwyer said Ellis, Greenwood, and Charles Perrottet (another brother of the former premier) anticipated receiving $2 million from Nassif to split evenly.
Legally intercepted calls included Nassif claiming he had "forced" the abolition of Elliott's seat and saying of Chandler: "I'm gonna fuck him sideways." Nassif remains in Lebanon and has declined to cooperate. In 2023, NSW police issued a warrant for his arrest on fraud allegations.
Third allegation involves Labor councillors
The inquiry will also look at whether two Labor Strathfield councillors engaged in dishonest conduct toward a fellow councillor, including possible blackmail and breaches of surveillance laws.
First witness gave evidence
Hotelier Michael O'Hara, the first witness, admitted to a fake arrangement where he paid Beckington for "strategic wealth strategy investment advice" but questioned whether payments were political donations. He said he wanted Ellis to promote his conservative values in the Liberal party.
Hearings continue Tuesday with former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw.
