In Australia, ICAC hears testimony on alleged developer payments to lobbyists
In the Australian state of New South Wales, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) continued hearings into alleged payments from developer Jean Nassif to lobbyists and political figures. As The Guardian reports, the commission heard further testimony from lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood, head of Beckington Consulting.
According to the publication, Greenwood is suspected of involvement in distributing $2 million in payments from Nassif, the owner of the development company Toplace, which later ceased operations. ICAC alleges that Greenwood, right-wing Liberal Party political figure Charles Perrottet, and Christian Ellis may have received illegal political donations.
Payments for projects
According to Peggy Dwyer, a lawyer assisting ICAC, the payments were divided among the three individuals. Greenwood agreed that the trio had been offered $1 million each for every Toplace project accepted into the fast-tracked government approval process.
The projects mentioned included 189 Macquarie Street in Parramatta, Garthowen in Castle Hill, O’Riordan Street in Mascot, a project in Cherrybrook, and possibly a site in Clyde or Box Hill. According to Greenwood, the arrangement was written on a scrap of pink paper that Nassif’s associate Larissa Mouawad kept in an eyeglasses case.
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The potential value of all approved projects for Beckington could have amounted to $5 million. These funds were to be paid in addition to the $30,000 monthly fee that Beckington had previously agreed with Toplace.
Correspondence about cars
The commission also reviewed correspondence between Greenwood and Ellis, who exchanged photographs of Porsche and Ferrari cars. Greenwood sent an image of a Porsche 911, and the interlocutors discussed which car to choose. During the hearing, he confirmed that he ultimately chose a Porsche, but not the $280,000 model.
Dwyer said that this correspondence indicated discussions of substantial payments during a meeting between Nassif, Greenwood, and Charles Perrottet on April 24, 2020. ICAC also alleges that the payments could have been used to achieve political outcomes, including removing the Hills Shire Council and attempts to remove Building Commissioner David Chandler. Greenwood denied this, saying that the money was payment for work performed.
Charles Perrottet and Greenwood deny receiving illegal political donations. Dominic Perrottet, the former premier of New South Wales and Charles Perrottet’s brother, is not a subject of the ICAC investigation and is not accused of wrongdoing. Ellis is overseas and is not expected to testify during the hearings.
