The brothers of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet are among state Liberal Party members under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The Commission has alleged that party members, including Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet, accepted prohibited political donations, partly to remove specific people from public office.
A spokesperson for the NSW Liberal Party said it expects members “to meet the high standards demanded by this organisation, our membership and the public.”
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
ICAC is a NSW body established to investigate allegations of corrupt conduct in the public sector. It defines corruption as “deliberate or intentional wrongdoing”.
Dominic Perrottet was the Premier of NSW from October 2021 to March 2023, representing the Liberal Party.
He is one of 12 siblings, including brothers Jean-Claude and Charles, who have both been active in the Liberals.
Investigation
This week, ICAC announced an investigation involving three allegations:
- Liberal Party members, including Jean-Claude Perrottet, accepted donations from “prohibited donors”. These were allegedly undeclared and/or exceeded donation caps. Catholic Schools NSW and Paslibdan, linked to hotelier Michael O’Hara, are listed as donors.
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(The NSW Electoral Commission lists property developers, the liquor and gaming, and tobacco industries, and close associates to the recipient as prohibited political donors.)
- Liberal members, including Charles Perrottet, allegedly accepted donations from property developer Jean Nassif. The donations were allegedly part of a scheme involving recruitment, in an effort to “damage” former MP David Elliott and remove former NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler from office.
- Strathfield Labor Councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene allegedly engaged in dishonest conduct including possible blackmail.
In 2023, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Nassif fled to Lebanon during a police investigation into bank fraud. Maheswaran used to be Nassif’s lawyer.
Response
In a statement to TDA, a spokesperson for the NSW Liberal Party said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on a current active ICAC inquiry.”
They added that the Party “expects its members to meet the high standards demanded by this organisation, our membership and the public.”
Strathfield Mayor Benjamin Cai said the Council “values responsible, ethical leadership.”
“As elected representatives we are individually accountable for our behaviour whilst we are in office and the community should hold us to the highest standards of behaviour,” Cai added.
ICAC will hold an inquiry into the allegations.
Public hearings will be held in Sydney over eight weeks from 27 July.
