NSW ICAC inquiry into Liberal Party corruption, property developers, and Catholic Schools NSW
Consensus Summary
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has announced a major public inquiry, Operation Rosny, set to begin July 27, 2026, investigating allegations of corruption involving the Liberal Party, property developer Jean Nassif, and Catholic Schools NSW. The inquiry will examine improper political donations, branch-stacking schemes, and potential breaches of public trust by Liberal Party figures, including two brothers of former premier Dominic Perrottet—Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet—as well as Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, and Robert Assaf. Allegations include undeclared donations exceeding legal caps, links to prohibited donors like Nassif and hotelier Michael O’Hara, and efforts to remove political obstacles such as former building commissioner David Chandler. The inquiry also implicates Strathfield Labor councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene in misconduct allegations, including potential blackmail and surveillance violations. While Labor suspended the two councillors, the Liberal Party has not suspended any implicated members, raising questions about leadership and accountability ahead of the state election. The scope of the inquiry suggests broader corruption risks for the party, with potential fallout extending to local government and the Catholic Church’s funding practices.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- ICAC will hold an eight-week public inquiry starting July 27, 2026, codenamed Operation Rosny
- Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif and his company Toplace are central to the inquiry
- Two brothers of former NSW Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet—Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet—are named in the allegations
- Liberal Party figures Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, and Robert Assaf are accused of soliciting or accepting undeclared political donations exceeding caps
- Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney is alleged to have arranged and approved undeclared political donations exceeding donation caps
- Allegations include branch-stacking schemes to install councillors on Hills Shire Council to support Nassif’s development applications
- The inquiry will examine allegations of donations made by or on behalf of prohibited donors, including hotelier Michael O’Hara, between 2020 and 2023
- Strathfield Labor councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene are accused of breaching public trust, including potential blackmail and Surveillance Devices Act violations
- The NSW Liberal Party has not suspended any members implicated in the inquiry, while Labor suspended Maheswaran and Pensabene
- Toplace was placed into administration owing 600 creditors approximately $1.88 billion
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The inquiry was sparked by a 2022 speech in parliament by Liberal MP Ray Williams alleging senior party members were 'paid significant funds' for branch-stacking.
- The inquiry will investigate nine people, including two Labor councillors, the chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, and two brothers of former premier Dominic Perrottet.
- The inquiry’s scope is wider than previous parliamentary inquiries into branch-stacking.
- The inquiry will probe whether donations were made to 'damage the political career' of former police minister David Elliott and remove building commissioner David Chandler.
- The inquiry hints at broader involvement of unnamed Liberal Party figures, including serving and former MPs.
- The inquiry could trigger debate about removing party politics from local government and scrutiny of Catholic Church funding.
- The allegations were referred to ICAC at least in part by the NSW Electoral Commission as part of Operation Rosny.
- The inquiry covers a four-year period when the Liberal Party governed NSW until 2023.
- Assistant Commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC will preside, with Counsel Assisting including Dr Peggy Dwyer SC.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the inquiry will run for eight weeks from late July, while the SMH and ABC specify it starts July 27, 2026, but do not mention 'late July' explicitly.
- The ABC and SMH mention Paslibdan Ptd as a donor linked to Michael O’Hara, but the Guardian does not reference this entity.
- The Guardian and SMH mention 'certain Strathfield councillors' in the inquiry, while the ABC names only Sharangan Maheswaran and Karen Pensabene as Labor councillors under investigation.
Source Articles
Icac is investigating a Sydney property developer and NSW Liberals over branch stacking allegations. Who is involved?
Anti-corruption body examining allegations Liberal figures accepted donations to recruit members and also received money from fugitive Toplace developer Jean Nassif Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption will hold a public inquiry into corruption allegations against people associated with the NSW Liberal party, including fugitive property developer Jean Nassi
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