The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) will hold a public inquiry into corruption allegations against individuals associated with the NSW Liberal party, including fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. The inquiry, announced on Wednesday, is expected to run for eight weeks from late July 2025.
Allegations of Branch Stacking and Donations
Icac is investigating three key allegations. The first involves Liberal figures or lobbyists Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet allegedly soliciting or accepting donations, including from prohibited donors, in amounts that were undeclared or exceeded caps, to recruit or renew party members—a practice known as branch stacking. This includes donations from Catholic Schools NSW, allegedly arranged by its CEO Dallas McInerney, and from Paslibdan Pty Ltd on behalf of hotelier Michael O'Hara.
The second allegation examines whether between 2020 and 2023, Nassif and his company Toplace, prohibited from donating as a property developer, made donations solicited or accepted by Ellis, Greenwood, and Charles Perrottet in exchange for outcomes sought by Nassif. These outcomes allegedly include damaging the political career of former Liberal transport minister David Elliott and removing then-building commissioner David Chandler.
The third allegation concerns two Labor Strathfield councillors, Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene, accused of engaging in conduct towards fellow councillor Matthew Blackmore involving dishonest exercise of official functions, breach of public trust, and possible blackmail, as well as breaches of the Surveillance Devices Act.
Key Individuals Involved
Jean Nassif, whose company Toplace collapsed in 2023, left Australia for Lebanon in 2022 after defects were found in developments. NSW police issued an arrest warrant in June 2023 for alleged financial wrongdoing and fraud, but he has not been charged. Nassif has denied wrongdoing.
Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet are brothers of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet, who is not accused of wrongdoing. Both brothers, power brokers in the Liberal right faction, refused to appear at a previous parliamentary inquiry. Christian Ellis is a former Liberal state executive member allegedly involved in branch stacking against former federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley. Jeremy Greenwood is director of lobbying firm JPG Advisory, whose clients include Catholic Schools NSW. Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, has stood aside during the investigation. Robert Assaf, a former communications manager for Catholic Schools NSW, later became head of corporate affairs at Greyhound Racing NSW. Michael O'Hara is a hotelier and prohibited donor.
Maheswaran, a former Labor councillor in Strathfield, and Pensabene, a current Labor councillor, have been asked to have their party memberships suspended by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
Impact on NSW Liberals
The inquiry is potentially damaging for the NSW Liberals, eight months out from the March 2027 state election. NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said there is "zero tolerance for corruption" and confirmed suspensions of Liberal members named in allegations. The party faces rising support for One Nation, which polled at 22% compared to the Coalition's 26% in a May Resolve poll. Icac has previously investigated Liberal leaders, including former premier Gladys Berejiklian, leading to her resignation in 2021.
