Charles Perrottet becomes Icac’s main character amid claims of hidden payments and political hit jobs
News Source
•Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:00:05 GMT
📰 What Happened
Charles Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, began giving evidence at Icac on Friday. The corruption inquiry wants to know what, if anything, was done for $2m allegedly promised by developer Jean Nassif. Nassif is now a fugitive in Lebanon.
Charles admitted meeting Nassif in December 2019 and giving him advice on his developments. He said they bonded over shared frustrations with former minister David Elliott. During his evidence he accepted he had sent a text about a plan to damage Elliott's career.
His wife Anita gave evidence earlier. She was paid about $660,000 through her consulting company. Under questioning she said she could not recall details of her work more than 500 times.
🔍 The Backstory
The saga has run for nearly four years. It began with the dismissal of the Hills Shire council over alleged secret payments from a developer. It spread to claims of a pressure campaign against officials and, Icac says, real-world damage: defective high-rise buildings and unhappy homebuyers.
Anita Perrottet was paid through invoices from her company Macquarie Consulting. The money went to lobbying firms tied to Nassif. Icac has found no documents for the work beyond the invoices themselves.
David Elliott was moved from police minister to transport in a reshuffle. He later lost his seat before the 2023 election. Charles Perrottet claims his text messages were just anger over Elliott's 'anyone but Dom' campaign.
🎯 Why It Matters
Corruption hearings decide whether powerful people abused their positions for money. When a premier's family member is caught up in such claims, it tests public trust in politics. The verdict affects how NSW Liberals are judged for years.
Charles Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, began giving evidence at Icac on Friday. The corruption inquiry wants to know what, if anything, was done for $2m allegedly promised by developer Jean Nassif. Nassif is now a fugitive in Lebanon.
Charles admitted meeting Nassif in December 2019 and giving him advice on his developments. He said they bonded over shared frustrations with former minister David Elliott. During his evidence he accepted he had sent a text about a plan to damage Elliott's career.
His wife Anita gave evidence earlier. She was paid about $660,000 through her consulting company. Under questioning she said she could not recall details of her work more than 500 times.
The saga has run for nearly four years. It began with the dismissal of the Hills Shire council over alleged secret payments from a developer. It spread to claims of a pressure campaign against officials and, Icac says, real-world damage: defective high-rise buildings and unhappy homebuyers.
Anita Perrottet was paid through invoices from her company Macquarie Consulting. The money went to lobbying firms tied to Nassif. Icac has found no documents for the work beyond the invoices themselves.
David Elliott was moved from police minister to transport in a reshuffle. He later lost his seat before the 2023 election. Charles Perrottet claims his text messages were just anger over Elliott's 'anyone but Dom' campaign.
Corruption hearings decide whether powerful people abused their positions for money. When a premier's family member is caught up in such claims, it tests public trust in politics. The verdict affects how NSW Liberals are judged for years.