Questions have been raised over consulting and lobbying activities linked to Anita Perrottet, sister-in-law of former New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet, during an ongoing inquiry by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

On Wednesday, witness Matthew Greenwood, who controls lobbying firms Beckington and JPG Advisory, faced intense scrutiny regarding payments exceeding $660,000 made over two and a half years to Anita Perrottet’s company, Macquarie Consulting. Allegations were made that these payments, which Perdrottet stated were for “strategic and marketing advice,” in fact represented a financial share of dealings involving her husband, Charles Perrottet, who said the funds encompassed both his advice on property developments and his wife’s consulting work.

Greenwood, who manages both firms, earlier described Anita Perrottet’s contributions as providing a “mum’s perspective” on issues including greyhound industry reforms and youth vaping regulations. He cited examples such as coining the phrase “zero unnecessary euthanasia” related to greyhounds and recommending restrictions on flavoured vaping products to deter minors.

However, counsel assisting the commission, Scott Dwyer, challenged Greenwood’s testimony by presenting evidence that the phrase “zero unnecessary euthanasia” had appeared in official greyhound industry reports as early as 2017, predating Perrottet’s alleged involvement. Greenwood maintained his position, denying the phrase was appropriated from earlier sources. Additionally, Dwyer referenced submissions to parliamentary inquiries by Philip Morris advocating regulatory measures on tobacco and vaping, which Greenwood acknowledged reviewing but rejected as diminishing the originality of Anita Perrottet’s input.

When questioned about the ages of Anita Perrottet’s children during the advisory period—which was relevant to Greenwood’s claim of a “mum’s perspective” on youth vaping—Greenwood admitted to uncertainty, while Dwyer noted the children were approximately two and three years old. Greenwood conceded that advice would not have been specifically aimed at deterring vaping among under-fives.

The hearing also addressed communications involving Greenwood, including a non-publication order on a racist remark he made in 2020 about the chief of staff to Dominic Perrottet, who was then Treasurer. The comment was described as “highly offensive,” though neither Dominic Perrottet nor other family members are subjects of wrongdoing allegations or named as persons of interest in the investigation. Greenwood’s colleague, Ellis, who was previously involved in the lobbying firms, has relocated to the United Kingdom and is not expected to appear.

Further scrutiny fell on electronic folders shared by Anita Perrottet with Greenwood after a parliamentary inquiry into greyhounds, tobacco, and Catholic cemeteries, which preceded the ICAC probe. Dwyer accused the folders—found to be empty—of creating a “false documents trail,” a claim Perrottet denied. Greenwood said he could not explain the purpose of sending empty folders but speculated they might have been intended for future use.

At the conclusion of his testimony, Greenwood was confronted with the suggestion that his actions, along with others, had placed Anita Perrottet in a difficult position by involving her in false evidence before the commission. Greenwood rejected this assertion.

The ICAC inquiry into these lobbying and consulting activities continues.