Charles Perrottet is expected to complete his fifth day in the witness box at the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, where he has faced sustained questioning over secret recordings, payments linked to a property developer and efforts to undermine former Liberal MP David Elliott.
Mr Perrottet has denied fabricating evidence and rejected suggestions that money paid to companies associated with political operatives Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood was exchanged for political outcomes.
The inquiry is examining allegations that prohibited donations connected to developer Jean Nassif and his company, Toplace, were solicited or accepted by figures associated with the NSW Liberal Party between 2020 and 2023. The allegations have not been tested or determined. ([icac.nsw.gov.au](https://www.icac.nsw.gov.au/investigations/current-investigations/2026/electoral-funding-act-operation-rosny?utm_source=openai))
Secret recordings sent to political allies
On Wednesday, the inquiry heard that Mr Perrottet could not recall how he obtained three confidential audio recordings of Mr Elliott, a factional opponent.
The recordings were sent to former Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith, Mr Ellis, Toplace private investigator Shane De Kauwe and Chris Spence, a former chief of staff to then minister Anthony Roberts.
Mr Perrottet said he had circulated the files in the hope that someone could improve their quality and make Mr Elliott’s comments easier to hear. The recordings were distributed only days before his brother, Dominic Perrottet, became NSW premier.
He also dismissed recordings of Mr Nassif boasting about his influence in government as “bravado”, despite claims made during the inquiry that the developer believed the premier was a close personal friend.
Mr Perrottet said he would sometimes lie to Mr Nassif and add “political flavour” to their conversations to encourage him to pay invoices issued by Beckington, a company linked to Mr Greenwood and Mr Ellis. He maintained that the payments were for legitimate consulting work.
The inquiry was told that, after a dinner with Mr Nassif at Nobu Melbourne in May 2021, Mr Perrottet sent a message to an associate of the developer outlining a strategy to damage Mr Elliott’s political position.
“I told Jean though that the best way to get the building commissioner off his back is to take the fight to Elliot and dismantle his infrastructure,” the message said.
It referred to securing payments connected with “189 and Garthowen” and pursuing control of Parramatta, Hills and Cumberland councils, as well as the seat of Castle Hill. The message concluded that Mr Elliott would be “on his knees”.
Mr Perrottet told the commission he could not remember what he had actually said to Mr Nassif at the dinner.
The Operation Rosny public inquiry, which began in July, resumed on Thursday 3 September after a short adjournment. ICAC has said the hearings are investigating possible offences under NSW electoral funding laws and related allegations involving political donations, branch stacking and attempts to influence public officials. ([icac.nsw.gov.au](https://www.icac.nsw.gov.au/investigations/current-investigations/2026/electoral-funding-act-operation-rosny?utm_source=openai))
