ICAC investigation into Liberal Party factional warfare and alleged corruption involving David Elliott and Reformers
Consensus Summary
The ICAC is investigating allegations of corruption and factional warfare within the NSW Liberal Party, focusing on Operation Rosny. Central to the inquiry is the creation of a 'shit sheet' targeting former minister David Elliott, who denies accusations of an extramarital affair and other controversies. Dylan Whitelaw, a former Liberal staffer, testified that he helped compile a list of Elliott's past controversies, including an incident involving a gun at a Corrective Services NSW property. The ICAC is also examining whether donations linked to fugitive property developer Jean Nassif were exchanged for political favours, including targeting Elliott and the removal of former building commissioner David Chandler. Whitelaw acknowledged that messages showed he was asked to write about Elliott's 2020 incident but denied recalling details about the alleged affair. The inquiry also explored payments allegedly agreed to by federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, including a 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation, though Taylor denies making any payments. Chandler resigned in July 2022 after an investigation requested by Eleni Petinos, which later cleared him of wrongdoing. The ICAC is determining whether Nassif's alleged call about Chandler's removal was coincidental or orchestrated.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dylan Whitelaw gave evidence to the ICAC on Wednesday.
- David Elliott denied all accusations in a statement reported by other media outlets, citing his 30 years of marriage.
- The ICAC is investigating Operation Rosny, which involves allegations of corruption against people associated with the NSW Liberal Party.
- Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis are linked to allegations involving donations and political favours, including targeting David Elliott.
- Dylan Whitelaw acknowledged helping compile a list of David Elliott's past controversies, including an incident where Elliott was photographed firing a gun at a Corrective Services NSW property.
- David Elliott is a former Liberal minister and a leading figure in the centre-right faction of the Liberal Party.
- The ICAC is examining whether donations linked to fugitive property developer Jean Nassif were exchanged for political favours.
- David Elliott is looking forward to providing his own observations if invited to give evidence to the ICAC.
- Dylan Whitelaw was asked about payments allegedly agreed to by federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, including a 15k injection plus a 3k monthly donation.
- David Chandler resigned in July 2022 after an investigation requested by Eleni Petinos, which later cleared him of wrongdoing.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Dylan Whitelaw was asked about the 'David Elliott shit sheet' on his second day of evidence at the ICAC.
- Whitelaw said he understood Greenwood and Ellis wanted to damage Elliott's political standing but believed it was factional warfare.
- Whitelaw said Greenwood and Ellis kept details of the alleged extramarital affair 'very, very secretive' and never showed him photographs.
- Whitelaw accepted under cross-examination that no photograph existed of Elliott 'leaving the residence of another woman'.
- The ICAC held its third day of hearings as part of Operation Rosny.
- Whitelaw accepted that messages between him and Greenwood showed he was asked to write about a 2020 incident involving Elliott firing a prohibited machine gun at a corrections facility.
- Whitelaw said he did not recall writing a section of the document with the sub-heading 'extramarital affair' but was told Greenwood and Ellis had photographic evidence.
- The inquiry heard a phone call featuring Nassif in which he allegedly claimed he had paid for Chandler’s removal and that 'the fair trading minister is gonna to be one of my girls'.
- Two months after the call, then-Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet appointed Eleni Petinos as fair trading minister in a reshuffle.
- Whitelaw described an incident involving Anthony Roberts’ chief of staff, Chris Spence, claiming to have a potentially damaging video of David Chandler.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states Dylan Whitelaw gave evidence on Wednesday, while the Guardian also states this but does not specify it as his second day of evidence, only that he finished giving evidence on Wednesday.
- The ABC mentions Dylan Whitelaw was asked about the 'David Elliott shit sheet' on his second day of evidence, but the Guardian does not specify the day count, only that it was the third day of hearings for Operation Rosny.
Source Articles
Senior Liberals tried to damage career of former minister, ICAC told
The NSW corruption watchdog has heard senior Liberal Party operatives created a document in alleged attempts to damage the career of former minister David Elliott.
Young Liberal power brokers created ‘shit sheet’ on NSW minister accusing him of extramarital affair
David Elliott denies having affair after document revealed during Icac hearing into corruption allegations Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A group of young conservative power brokers in the New South Wales Liberal party under investigation by the corruption watchdog created a “shit sheet” on a minister from a rival faction, claiming he had an extramarital affair, an inquiry has heard. The Independent Commission A