What we've learnt so far from the NSW corruption hearings

What we've learnt after two weeks of ICAC's Operation Rosny Sun 9 Aug 2026 at 7:15am On the first day of the marathon eight-week public inquiry, codenamed Operation Rosny, Counsel Assisting Peggy Dwyer SC set the stage for the two months ahead. The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is examining the relationship between a fugitive property developer, Liberal Party operatives and alleged breaches of NSW electoral laws. After two weeks of evidence, these are some of the inquiry's most significant moments. Phone taps: The inquiry's mic drop moment The biggest bombshells came in the final hour of Jean-Claude Perrottet's evidence, when counsel assisting the commission Juliet Curtin unveiled a series of explosive phone taps. In one intercepted phone call, fugitive property developer Jean Nassif could be heard offering $100,000 to support the Liberal preselection of one of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet's brothers. During the June 2021 conversation with Jean-Claude Perrottet, Mr Nassif suggested the money could go to one of the Perrottet brothers, or Liberal lobbyists Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis. Loading...Asked which brother Mr Nassif was referring to, Jean-Claude Perrottet said, "I don't know what he's talking about … It's clear it makes no sense." Dominic Perrottet, who referred the allegations to ICAC in 2022, is not accused of any wrongdoing. The ICAC is investigating whether a third Perrottet brother, Charles, and others were involved in donations from Mr Nassif or his company for branch-stacking. In another recording, Mr Nassif claimed he was being targeted by former building commissioner David Chandler and alleged then-Hornsby MP Matt Kean was working with former minister David Elliott in a bid to replace Dominic Perrottet as premier. Mr Nassif: "They're leading the fight now against your brother. They want to destroy his image. He's a Christian. He's an evil man." Jean-Claude Perrottet: "Yeah, I know. I didn't know it was a crime to be Christian these days." Mr Nassif: "You know, I've got all my community behind him." Jean-Claude Perrottet: "I appreciate that, Jean." When the discussion turned to factional issues in Castle Hill and Baulkham Hills, Jean-Claude Perrottet told Mr Nassif, "Help in that area would be awesome." He was also heard thanking Mr Nassif for his support of the family, saying, "It's making a difference, the work you're doing," but Jean-Claude Perrottet described it as a throwaway comment. Like any good movie trailer, Dr Dwyer used her opening statement to preview some of the blockbuster moments to come. One call suggested Mr Nassif was aware that Eleni Petinos would replace then-fair trading minister Kevin Anderson in a cabinet reshuffle. Mr Nassif: "I'm gonna step on his neck and strip him from his job. "Just give me two months, because the consumer affairs minister, she's gonna be my girl, and the fair-trading minister, she's gonna be one of my girls too." Two months after the call, Ms Petinos replaced Mr Anderson in a cabinet reshuffle. Mr Chandler later resigned in 2022 following an investigation commissioned by Ms Petinos's office. Ms Petinos is not accused of any wrongdoing. Dr Dwyer also played an intercepted phone call from September 2021, where she said Mr Nassif was heard boasting to an associate about his influence on the NSW Liberal Party. Mr Nassif: "I f***ed David Elliott badly … Mate, I took his seat … I damaged his seat. "The right wing announced that Jean Nassif is our Godfather." Bucks night and 'filthy schools money' No group has loomed larger over Operation Rosny than the right-wing NSW Reformers. The conservative Christian Liberal faction was founded by Mr Ellis and Robert Assaf in 2018. The ICAC is investigating whether people linked to the group solicited money from prohibited donors and disguised political donations through companies and sham invoices to build the Reformers' influence. Counsel assisting will argue payments made by Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) and hotelier Michael O'Hara, a prohibited donor, were allegedly disguised as consulting retainers for work that was never carried out. Text messages showed lobbyist Mr Greenwood joking with Jean-Claude Perrottet about handing over his "filthy schools' money", prompting the reply: "Don't put that in writing." Former Reformers member Dylan Whitelaw also alleged that he and Mr Assaf regularly carried out Liberal factional work during paid hours at CSNSW, claiming it became a running joke that Mr Assaf spent more time on Reformers business than his day job. Mr Whitelaw alleged CSNSW CEO Dallas McInerney, a key figure of the inquiry, was aware. Mr McInerney stood aside after the ICAC announced it was investigating whether the organisation made improper donations, arranged and approved by Mr McInerney. The commission also heard Reformers money was used to help pay for a bucks party. Mr Assaf said that the bucks party was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, describing members as "immature and young", and they intended to repay it. Shaking down Angus Taylor For someone who is not accused of any wrongdoing or involved in the ICAC investigation, federal Liberal leader Angus Taylor has featured in the inquiry more than he would probably like. It was just the second day of hearings when the commission heard claims senior members of the Reformers discussed seeking financial backing from Mr Taylor. Mr Whitelaw was shown a screenshot of messages sent from Mr Assaf to a Reformers group chat. It showed texts from Mr McInerney, suggesting he wanted to "shake down Angus for 10k" to help fund the Reformers work. The inquiry was also shown another message from Mr Whitelaw claiming Mr McInerney had secured a $15,000 payment and ongoing monthly donations of $3,000 from Mr Taylor. The opposition leader has been peppered with questions since the claims arose and has repeatedly said "no payment was made" and would not be giving a "running commentary". Mr Taylor's name is likely to come up again when his factional ally, Mr McInerney, gives evidence next week. State Liberal Party The scope of Operation Rosny predates NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane's time in politics. But the fallout has engulfed the party she now leads as she seeks to defeat a popular Labor premier at the election next March. The first to fall foul, even before the ICAC began its hearings, was Damien Tudehope, who quit the frontbench after he was called as a witness. While Mr Tudehope is not a person of interest in the watchdog's investigation, he faced two days of questioning about his association with the Reformers. The former Liberal frontbencher admitted to leaking a confidential draft report of a 2023 parliament inquiry to Mr Greenwood, a witness who had declined to give evidence. Mr Greenwood is due to appear before the ICAC next week. Shadow frontbencher Chris Rath also made headlines and has since apologised to parliament after Nine newspapers reported he had tipped off a member of the Reformers during the 2023 inquiry. Both Mr Rath and Mr Tudehope have been referred to the state parliament's powerful privileges committee over the alleged leaks. Asked about the revelation that involved Mr Tudehope, Ms Sloane said, "The leaking of a report is never good, it's a standard that I don't accept." Nassif's political enemies and the 'shit sheet' Allegations of an internal campaign to sideline Mr Nassif's perceived enemies have also been aired. The commission heard senior Liberal operatives compiled a "David Elliott shit sheet" — an alleged dossier listing political and personal allegations aimed at damaging the former Liberal minister. Mr Whitelaw told the commission senior factional figures Mr Greenwood and Mr Ellis also claimed to have photographs of Mr Elliott involved in an extramarital affair, but kept the details "very, very secretive". But under cross-examination, Mr Whitelaw accepted no affair may have occurred given he was never shown the alleged photographs. Mr Elliott reportedly told Nine newspapers he rejected all accusations. Mr Whitelaw said he believed the campaign reflected "standard factional warfare", rather than instructions from Mr Nassif. He told the commission former chief of staff Chris Spence allegedly wanted then-fair trading minister Ms Petinos to use a video during budget estimates to undermine former building commissioner Mr Chandler. The ICAC is examining whether efforts to remove Mr Chandler were linked to concerns his investigation into Mr Nassif's developments threatened the property developer's interests.