Lawyers assisting a corruption inquiry have alleged that Charles Perrottet, brother of former New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet, shared information, including a secret pocket phone recording of a minister, to help a property developer achieve political outcomes.
Former NSW Liberal MP and staffer Chris Spence told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Monday that Charles Perrottet may have been acting in the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif when he shared audio recordings with Spence in 2021. Spence denied knowledge of any plans Perrottet may have had at the time.
The watchdog is investigating whether Liberal figures, including Charles Perrottet, took donations from Nassif and his company Toplace in exchange for outcomes, such as the removal of former building commissioner David Chandler and damage to the career of former NSW Liberal minister David Elliott.
Spence was asked why Charles Perrottet shared two audio files with him in 2021. One file, shared in May 2021, allegedly included Nassif discussing an arrangement for Chandler to provide an occupation certificate for a development in exchange for money. The second recording, shared in October 2021, purportedly included Elliott criticising Dominic Perrottet, who was about to become premier.
Counsel assisting, Juliet Curtin, asked Spence if the audio file was an example of Charles Perrottet 'ventilating dirt' about Nassif’s adversaries. Spence responded, "Upon reflection, it would look that way, but at the time, that wouldn’t have been my view."