Fugitive Developer Boasts About Future Premier
The reported event occurred on January 22, 2022. Secret telephone recordings presented to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) have revealed fugitive property developer Jean Nassif boasting about his alleged political influence. During the fifth day of evidence given by Charles Perrottet, Dominic Perrottet’s brother, these intercepted calls were played in public. In one conversation recorded shortly before Dominic Perrottet assumed office as NSW Premier in October 2021, Nassif described the future leader as his “boy”.
He stated his intention to “step on” Chandler and remove him from the role. While the language suggests a developer believing he held significant sway within the NSW Liberal Party, the inquiry has not established that Nassif actually controlled Perrottet or any ministerial appointments.
The recordings demonstrate what Nassif was claiming in private conversations, but they do not prove that the former premier knew of those claims or agreed to assist him. Dominic Perrottet has not been accused of wrongdoing, and there is no suggestion he participated in attempts to help Toplace or knew about the requests discussed during the hearing.
Threats Over Toplace Occupation Certificate
The inquiry also examined whether Nassif sought assistance from Charles Perrottet regarding an occupation certificate for a specific Toplace development. In a message dated July 2021 sent to Christian Ellis, Charles wrote that Nassif wanted him to ask his brother Dominic—who was then NSW Treasurer—to instruct Chandler to issue the certificate or face “problems”.
Under questioning from counsel assisting the commission, Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, Charles agreed that this request sounded like a threat.
Perrottet Lies To Calm Fugitive Developer
Further messages examined by the commission showed Nassif repeatedly pressing Charles Perrottet to intervene regarding Chandler’s scrutiny of Toplace developments. However, he told ICAC that he had misled Nassif, making promises intended solely to keep the developer calm.
The inquiry heard that Charles gave Nassif the impression that calls were being made and steps were being taken, while maintaining in evidence that some of what he said was untrue. When questioned about the time spent responding to Nassif and discussing possible action, Charles described it as the nature of their relationship, noting he was attempting to manage the developer’s demands rather than acting on them.
The distinction between merely appeasing Nassif and actively using political connections to advance his interests is now central to the evidence being tested. This difference highlights the complexity of managing relationships with high-profile developers while maintaining integrity within the regulatory framework.
Strategies To Defeat Building Regulator Scrutiny
Messages shown at the inquiry outlined various political, legal and media strategies concerning Chandler and Toplace. Charles told Nassif that he had spoken to upper house MPs about pursuing a parliamentary order for government documents.
The material included discussion about trying to prevent an ABC News report concerning alleged defects at the Skyview apartment development while encouraging negative coverage of the building regulator. Charles told ICAC that his promise to raise Nassif’s concerns with the minister was another lie intended to appease him.
Toplace entered voluntary administration in 2023, reportedly carrying debts exceeding $1 billion. Owners and residents across several developments faced concerns about alleged structural and building defects during this period. These events underscore the broader context of the investigation into Nassif’s dealings with political figures.
Operation Rosny Investigates Political Donations
Operation Rosny is examining allegations involving people associated with the NSW Liberal Party, including Nassif, Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney, hotelier Michael O’Hara, several Strathfield councillors and others. According to ICAC, one part of the inquiry concerns whether political donations from Nassif or Toplace were solicited or accepted between approximately 2020 and 2023.
The commission is investigating whether money was connected to Liberal Party membership recruitment, factional influence or attempts to obtain political outcomes beneficial to Nassif’s interests. These matters remain allegations being investigated at a public inquiry, with ICAC having not yet delivered its final findings.
Claims Of Insider Access Under Review
The significance of the latest recordings extends beyond Nassif’s choice of words. A property developer privately describing a future premier as his “boy”, while also speaking about selecting ministers and removing a building regulator, raises serious questions about how close wealthy prohibited donors believed they were to political power.
Whether Nassif possessed the influence he claimed, exaggerated his importance or was engaging in bravado remains a matter for ICAC to examine against the messages, financial records and witness testimony placed before it. Charles Perrottet’s evidence is also being tested against communications showing the extent of his dealings with Nassif and the promises he made concerning political access and regulatory pressure.
Dominic Perrottet remains outside the allegations of wrongdoing. The evidence reported from the hearing does not establish that he knew Nassif was referring to him in this way or that he participated in any attempt to help Toplace. What the recordings do reveal is how Nassif spoke when he believed the conversation was private—and how confidently he portrayed his claimed access to senior figures inside the NSW Liberal Party.
The commission continues to assess whether these claims align with the facts uncovered through its ongoing investigation into Operation Rosny.