Interceptions of phone calls involving Jean-Claude Perrottet, the youngest brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, have revealed discussions about financial support from fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. These communications, presented at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) hearings this week, include an offer from Nassif of $100,000 in cash intended for factional recruitment activities within the NSW Liberal Party.
In one intercepted call from 2019-2020, Nassif requests Jean-Claude to pass $100,000 to his brother, with the suggestion it be used for preselection purposes. Counsel assisting ICAC, Juliet Curtin, argued this demonstrated Nassif’s attempt to financially influence internal party branch stacking efforts by the Reformers faction, a conservative group within the party seeking to boost membership with like-minded individuals. Jean-Claude Perrottet rejected this interpretation, describing it as nonsensical and denying any knowledge of money being transferred as alleged.
Further calls played during the inquiry show Jean-Claude thanking Nassif for the support he claimed Nassif had provided to the Perrottet family. When questioned by Ms. Curtin about this, Jean-Claude again dismissed the suggestion, stating he was unaware of any such assistance.
The conversations also revealed Nassif’s frustration with then building commissioner David Chandler, whom Nassif accused of bullying and attempting to damage his reputation. Nassif reportedly asked Jean-Claude to ask his brother Charles Perrottet to intervene against Chandler, claiming assurances had been made that the commissioner would be removed or neutralized. The extent and outcome of any such intervention have not been clarified.
Jean-Claude Perrottet is also alleged to have received a series of regular payments amounting to $25,500 from Beckington Group, a lobbying firm associated with the Reformers faction. He was unable to provide an explanation for these payments or recall performing any specific work related to them.
Dominic Perrottet, who served as premier of New South Wales, has not been implicated in the ICAC investigation or linked to any alleged wrongdoing in the matter.
The interceptions were obtained through a NSW Police operation that involved cloning Nassif’s phone at Sydney Airport as part of an ongoing fraud investigation. These developments contribute to broader concerns about the influence of property developers in political processes and internal party factional activities in New South Wales. ICAC is continuing its inquiries.