Members of a conservative Christian Liberal group reportedly received a "kickback" from consultancy payments made by the governing body for over 600 schools in New South Wales, an inquiry has heard. Consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood gave evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption's (Icac) Operation Rosny on Wednesday.
Icac is investigating whether the Reformers, a factional group, solicited or accepted prohibited donations for party member recruitment or renewal. Questioning on Wednesday focused on Catholic Schools NSW, which is alleged to have made illegal donations to support the Reformers' branch-stacking efforts under the guise of public affairs and consultancy services.
The inquiry heard that two Reformers members, Jean-Claude Perrottet and Robert Assaf, received payments from JPG Advisory, a lobbying firm controlled by Greenwood, using money from its contract with Catholic Schools NSW. Counsel assisting, Peggy Dwyer SC, described these payments as a "kickback". Greenwood stated he agreed to pay Perrottet half of a monthly retainer if he secured the contract, and Assaf received a one-off 10% of the retainer. Greenwood admitted that Perrottet did no consulting work for Catholic Schools NSW after the contract was secured.
Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney is scheduled to appear as a witness on Thursday and Friday.