A prominent figure at the centre of an ongoing anti-corruption inquiry concerning the New South Wales (NSW) Liberal party has relocated to the United Kingdom and is not anticipated to provide testimony during the eight weeks of public hearings. Christian Ellis, a former registered lobbyist and influential Liberal party figure, is named in two allegations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which is set to commence its 'Operation Rosny' hearings this Monday.
The ICAC investigation focuses on several serious allegations. One centres on claims that Liberal figures, including Ellis and consultant Robert Assaf, 'solicited or accepted' donations from prohibited donors, or amounts that exceeded caps and were undeclared. These funds were allegedly used to recruit or renew party members, a practice commonly known as 'branch stacking'. Robert Assaf is among ten individuals ICAC has stated it is investigating and is expected to appear at the hearings, along with hotelier Michael O’Hara and former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw.
A second allegation under examination by the corruption watchdog involves the fugitive property developer Jean Nassif and his company, Toplace. It is alleged that between 2020 and 2023, Toplace made prohibited donations that were solicited or accepted by Liberals, including Ellis, 'in exchange for the pursuit of outcomes sought by Mr Nassif'. This aspect of the inquiry follows allegations made in a 2022 parliamentary speech by Liberal MP Ray Williams, claiming Nassif had met Ellis and other senior Liberals, with significant funds paid to arrange the election of new councillors to the Hills Shire council.
Ellis's move to the UK comes after a 2023 parliamentary inquiry, which preceded the current ICAC examination into 'possible offences under the Electoral Funding Act'. During that earlier inquiry, Ellis did not appear, with attempts to serve him with a summons proving unsuccessful. The final report from the 2023 inquiry specifically recommended that Ellis be called before any future inquiry to give evidence, underscoring his perceived importance to the investigations.
Formerly a director and shareholder of the lobbying firm Beckington, which counted Toplace among its clients, Ellis was elected to the NSW Liberal state executive in 2019, subsequently stepping down as director in favour of his wife. Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor had previously endorsed Ellis for a position on the NSW party’s state council in 2022, though Taylor himself is not accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the current allegations. When approached for comment regarding the ICAC allegations and his relocation overseas, Ellis declined to respond.