The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has begun a public inquiry into Operation Rosny, investigating allegations of branch stacking, illegal donations, and interference with preselections within the Liberal party. Counsel assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer SC opened the inquiry on Monday, detailing a web of corruption that includes secret tape recordings and sham consultancy payments.
Secret Tape Recordings Reveal Developer's Influence
On the first day of the inquiry, the commission heard boasts from developer Jean Nassif, now a fugitive in Lebanon, on secret tape recordings. Nassif claimed he had "my hands on the state government" and had "fucked" the career of a state politician by "taking his seat". He also threatened to "fuck him sideways" regarding the state's building commissioner, David Chandler, who was a thorn in his side. In another call from September 2021, Nassif referred to then-premier Gladys Berejiklian as a "fucking bitch", saying, "Mate, we thought we're gonna change her."
Allegations of Sham Payments and Illegal Donations
Dwyer alleged that Nassif used his millions to engage a group of Liberal operatives known as the Reformers as consultants. These operatives, including two of former premier Dominic Perrottet's brothers—Jean-Claude and Charles—as well as PR firm principals Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood, allegedly ran a major branch stacking operation to take over the Liberal party and promote a conservative agenda. Dwyer said Ellis and Greenwood received "sham" consultancy payments from Nassif and others between 2019 and 2022, totalling $2 million from Nassif, more than $250,000 from the Catholic Schools Association, and $125,000 from lawyer-turned-publican Michael O'Hara. These payments were allegedly illegal donations to avoid caps or to funnel money from banned donors, such as developers and those from the liquor and gaming industry.
Impact on Political Seats and Appointments
The inquiry heard that soon after the taped call, Nassif achieved his goals: Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott lost his preselection, minister Kevin Anderson was replaced, and building commissioner David Chandler resigned under pressure. Dwyer also revealed that Icac possesses a trove of decrypted messages between the young men central to the investigation, as well as evidence of fundraisers featuring high-profile Liberal figures like Tony Abbott, Alan Jones, and Damien Tudehope. Tudehope has since stood down from the frontbench after being called as a witness.
Reformers' Agenda and Broader Implications
Dwyer read from the Reformers' sales pitch, which aimed to recruit 5,000 members by 2022, deliver 75% of NSW parliament seats to conservatives by 2023, and gain control over the Liberal party's state executive. Their agenda included more conservative policies on same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. Dwyer urged the public not to get despondent at the scale of the alleged schemes, but acknowledged that "money in politics as in other spheres has the potential to corrupt." She stressed that these are allegations, not evidence, and it is up to commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC to determine the nature of the payments and intentions of the key actors.
Labor Also Under Scrutiny
The inquiry also revealed a third allegation of blackmail and corrupt conduct involving Labor councillors at Strathfield council, who allegedly planned blackmail of a fellow councillor, caught on phone taps during Operation Rosny. This comes at a time of low trust in major parties, with the inquiry expected to further erode public confidence.
