Secret tape recordings and 'sham' payments: the Liberals' internal ideological war laid bare
News Source
β’Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:00:13 GMT
π° What Happened
NSW's anti-corruption watchdog ICAC has started a public inquiry called Operation Rosny. On the first day, the court heard secret tape recordings of a property developer named Jean Nassif. In the recordings, Nassif boasts he has 'my hands on the state government' and ruined a politician's career by 'taking his seat'. He also made threats against the state building commissioner.
The inquiry looks into branch stacking, illegal donations, and interference with preselections inside the NSW Liberal Party. The recorded calls date back to 2021. In one call, Nassif calls then-premier Gladys Berejiklian a 'fucking bitch'. The ICAC commissioner urged the public not to lose hope despite the scale of the alleged schemes.
π The Backstory
The NSW Liberal Party has a long history of internal conflict between moderates and conservatives. Branch stacking happens when party members sign up fake members to control who gets preselected for seats in parliament. ICAC has investigated the party before, most notably Operation Credo in 2020 that looked into deals involving Berejiklian and former MP Daryl Maguire.
The developer Jean Nassif is a well-known figure in NSW property and political circles. His company Toplace has faced financial troubles. Charles Perrottet, who appears on the calls, is the brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. The inquiry is expected to run for several weeks and could lead to criminal charges.
π― Why It Matters
This shows how developers may have secretly controlled politicians in NSW. If proven, it means the people making decisions about your city were being told what to do by someone with deep pockets.
NSW's anti-corruption watchdog ICAC has started a public inquiry called Operation Rosny. On the first day, the court heard secret tape recordings of a property developer named Jean Nassif. In the recordings, Nassif boasts he has 'my hands on the state government' and ruined a politician's career by 'taking his seat'. He also made threats against the state building commissioner.
The inquiry looks into branch stacking, illegal donations, and interference with preselections inside the NSW Liberal Party. The recorded calls date back to 2021. In one call, Nassif calls then-premier Gladys Berejiklian a 'fucking bitch'. The ICAC commissioner urged the public not to lose hope despite the scale of the alleged schemes.
The NSW Liberal Party has a long history of internal conflict between moderates and conservatives. Branch stacking happens when party members sign up fake members to control who gets preselected for seats in parliament. ICAC has investigated the party before, most notably Operation Credo in 2020 that looked into deals involving Berejiklian and former MP Daryl Maguire.
The developer Jean Nassif is a well-known figure in NSW property and political circles. His company Toplace has faced financial troubles. Charles Perrottet, who appears on the calls, is the brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. The inquiry is expected to run for several weeks and could lead to criminal charges.
This shows how developers may have secretly controlled politicians in NSW. If proven, it means the people making decisions about your city were being told what to do by someone with deep pockets.