The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating allegations that prohibited political donations were funnelled through third parties to support the Liberal-aligned NSW Reformers faction and advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. The inquiry centers on claims that members of the Reformers used companies, sham invoices and consulting agreements to disguise political donations, including payments allegedly channelled through Catholic Schools NSW.
The Allegations
The commission is examining allegations involving lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood's former company, Beckington, which allegedly disguised political donations as payments for lobbying and government relations work. At the inquiry's first hearing last month, a text exchange was shown in which Mr Greenwood told Jean-Claude Perrottet: "Hey, so you know I'm good to you and help you and give you your filthy schools money and put up with you f***ing whinging." Mr Perrottet replied, "Don't put that in writing." Mr Greenwood then responded, "It deletes."
Jean-Claude Perrottet is the brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and was a member of the Reformers faction. Counsel assisting the commissioner, Peggy Dwyer SC, alleged the money referred to payments from Catholic Schools NSW intended to fund Liberal Party recruitment work. Dr Dwyer had previously said the exchange would form part of the evidence the commission would rely on to argue main Reformers players knew "sham arrangements" were used.
Witness Testimony
On his third day of evidence, Mr Greenwood said it was a "stupid joke" with a friend about something that would "make him nervous to hear". Dr Dwyer asked, "You knew it was, in your words, filthy schools money, because that was a dodgy arrangement where you were passing on money from Catholic Schools that was intended to fund his recruitment work for the Liberal Party, correct?" Mr Greenwood replied, "No … Look, it's a stupid joke. I rile him up all the time … I regret it, because it's become prominent here, but it's just our relationship."
The commission also heard that Mr Perrottet deleted the message from his phone. In Dr Dwyer's opening statement, it was revealed Mr Perrottet travelled to Fiji to avoid giving evidence in a 2023 parliamentary inquiry, with "financial assistance from others named" in the allegations. Mr Greenwood told the ICAC on Wednesday he paid for the trip to help him avoid being summonsed.
Courtroom Conduct
The commission also heard a security guard organised by former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran — and likely paid by Mr Nassif's company — was stationed outside his home to help him avoid being contacted by process servers. Over his three days of evidence, Mr Greenwood was often challenged over his inability to recall evidence put to him, with presiding Commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC forced to step in on multiple occasions to direct him to answer questions.
On Wednesday, the hearing became tense when Mr Greenwood faced questions about his dealings with Catholic Schools NSW. When Dr Dwyer challenged his account of payments made to Mr Perrottet, Mr Greenwood turned to someone in the hearing room and said, "Don't give me that look". Commissioner Gleeson responded, "Just everyone pause. Mr Greenwood, you need to be respectful in the way in which you behave. You need to listen to counsel's questions. You do not direct comments to other people sitting in this room. Do you understand what is expected of you as a witness?"
Mr Greenwood apologised but said he was reacting to people making faces at him. Commissioner Gleeson replied, "Mr Greenwood, can you answer the question? Listen to the question and answer it. Do you understand what is expected of you in terms of the respectful conduct and decorum in this room?"
Why This Matters:
The allegations strike at the heart of institutional integrity and the rule of law that underpins democratic governance. Political donation laws exist to ensure transparency and prevent undue influence in the political process — violations undermine public trust in elected representatives and the institutions they serve. The alleged involvement of Catholic Schools NSW raises serious questions about the misuse of funds intended for educational purposes, potentially diverting resources from students and families. The claims that individuals travelled overseas with financial assistance to avoid parliamentary scrutiny and employed security to evade process servers suggest a deliberate effort to obstruct lawful inquiry. If proven, these actions represent not just technical violations but a fundamental disrespect for accountability mechanisms that protect taxpayers and voters from corruption.