Charles Perrottet has firmly denied approaching his brother, former New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet, to orchestrate ministerial appointments on behalf of a prominent property developer. Testifying before the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Charles Perrottet rejected assertions that he sought political favors or attempted to influence the composition of the state cabinet to secure favorable outcomes for Toplace founder Jean Nassif.
The anti-corruption inquiry focused closely on an intercepted telecommunication from late 2021, recorded only days prior to Dominic Perrottet assuming the premiership. In the recording, Nassif was heard boasting about an upcoming government reshuffle and referred to the incoming premier as his personal ally. Counsel assisting the commission pressed the witness on whether these recorded remarks stemmed from private commitments or backdoor representations made to the developer.
Under sustained questioning, Charles Perrottet maintained that Nassif's recorded assertions were entirely unfounded and did not reflect any genuine discussions or undertakings. He stated that he had never offered to leverage his familial connections to influence executive government decisions, dismissing the recorded claims as baseless bluster that mischaracterized their interactions during that period.
The proceedings form part of a broader ICAC investigation into whether private developers improperly sought to sway council planning processes and state-level policy decisions through political lobbying and commercial associations. The commission has been methodically examining communications between industry figures, political operatives, and high-profile advisers to establish whether improper pressure was exerted on public officials.
Dominic Perrottet, who led the Coalition government until the March 2023 state election, has consistently maintained that he adhered to strict ministerial standards and acted with full integrity throughout his term in office. The anti-corruption hearings are expected to continue as the commission reviews additional phone intercepts, documentary evidence, and witness testimony.
