ICAC Probe into Perrottet Family’s Alleged Secret Payments and Lobbying

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is holding a public hearing into alleged $2 million undeclared political donations from developer Jean Nassif to a group of Liberal-aligned operatives known as the Reformers. The inquiry, now in its fourth year, has focused on whether payments were made to Charles Perrottet—brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet—and his wife Anita in exchange for political outcomes. Charles testified late Friday, describing meetings with Nassif and frustrations with rival Liberal MP David Elliott. Anita appeared earlier in the week and was questioned about monthly consulting fees of $10,000 and a $30,000 sign-on payment.

The Guardian

The controversy traces back to the 2022 dismissal of the Hills Shire council after it opposed a Toplace development in Cherrybrook. A parliamentary speech later alleged secret payments from the developer. ICAC uncovered a pressure campaign aimed at removing building commissioner David Chandler and a branch-stacking effort in the Hills district funded by the alleged donation. The Reformers—led by Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis—are accused of using the money to stack party branches with highly conservative members.

The Guardian

• Alleged undeclared donation from Jean Nassif: $2 million.

The Guardian

• Anita Perrottet’s payments from lobbying firm Beckington: $313,500 for Greyhounds NSW work (2021-2022) and $347,000 for “project consulting fees” (2022), totalling $660,999.

The Guardian

• Monthly “strategic advice” fee claimed by Anita: $10,000; sign-on fee: $30,000.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• A cheque for $148,500 was reportedly made out to Beckington in January 2021 on Charles’s behalf.

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Reformers and Anita deny wrongdoing, asserting the payments were for genuine consulting. Dominic Perrottet declined to comment on family ties to the cabinet. Former minister Eleni Petinos testified that she felt “used” in a whisper campaign and believed her dismissal was linked to the same maneuvering. Former building commissioner David Chandler, while not under investigation, described a whisper campaign aimed at his removal.

The Guardian

Peggy Dwyer criticised the lack of documentation, labeling the $10,000 monthly fee as “money for jam.” She warned Anita that she was being asked to lie under oath to protect her husband. Observers have highlighted the use of a shared office address—Roy Spagnolo’s office in Yambil Street, Griffith—by multiple lobbying entities linked to the Reformers, suggesting coordinated financial flows.

The Sydney Morning Herald

ICAC investigators have obtained invoices, phone records and CCTV footage but have been unable to locate any emails, research documents or marketing strategies that substantiate Anita’s claimed advisory work. While the commission alleges a nexus between the $2 million donation and political outcomes, it has not produced concrete evidence linking specific payments to particular decisions. The Reformers maintain that the funds were legitimate consulting fees, a claim not corroborated by documentary proof.

The Guardian

• “He was frustrated with a number of things. I would listen to him, I would appease him, because I wanted information from him,” — Charles

The Guardian

• “It was a transparent attempt to create a cover for a sham arrangement that had been established by Charles,” — Peggy Dwyer

The Guardian

The commission will call Charles Perrottet to testify after Anita concludes her evidence. ICAC has indicated that further examination of financial records and communications will continue, with potential referrals for criminal prosecution pending the outcome of the hearings.

The Guardian