The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that prohibited political donations were funneled through third parties to advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. These funds allegedly supported the Liberal-aligned, right-wing faction NSW Reformers, revealing the deep entanglement of private capital with the state's political machinery. The inquiry has heard that members of the Reformers utilized companies, sham invoices, and consulting agreements to disguise these illicit political donations.
Among the alleged conduits for these funds was Catholic Schools NSW, a public-facing institution. Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood's former company, Beckington, is also under scrutiny for allegedly disguising political donations as payments for lobbying and government relations work. This systematic obfuscation highlights the lengths to which capital will go to influence policy and secure its gains.
At the inquiry's first hearing last month, a damning text exchange surfaced between Mr. Greenwood and Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. Mr. Greenwood messaged Mr. Perrottet, stating, "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's immediate reply, "Don't put that in writing," underscores an awareness of the illicit nature of the arrangement. Mr. Greenwood then responded, "It deletes."
Counsel assisting the commissioner, Peggy Dwyer SC, alleged this "filthy schools money" referred to payments originating from Catholic Schools NSW. These funds were reportedly intended to finance Liberal Party recruitment work, a clear diversion of resources for partisan political ends. Dr. Dwyer stated this exchange would form part of the evidence demonstrating that main Reformers players understood "sham arrangements" were in use.
Capital's Influence on the State
On his third day of evidence, Mr. Greenwood dismissed the text as a "stupid joke" with a friend, something that would "make him nervous to hear." Dr. Dwyer pressed him, asking if he knew it was "filthy schools money" due to its dodgy nature, passing funds from Catholic Schools for Liberal Party recruitment. Mr. Greenwood denied this, reiterating it was "just our relationship." His denial, however, did not erase the structural implications of such an arrangement.
The commission also heard that Mr. Perrottet deleted the incriminating message from his phone. Further attempts to evade accountability were revealed when Dr. Dwyer stated Mr. Perrottet traveled to Fiji to avoid giving evidence in a 2023 parliamentary inquiry, now in its third year. This trip was made with "financial assistance from others named" in the allegations.
Evading Accountability
Mr. Greenwood confirmed to the ICAC on Wednesday that he paid for Mr. Perrottet's Fiji trip specifically to help him avoid being summonsed. This direct intervention by a lobbyist to shield a political operative from scrutiny demonstrates the protective mechanisms capital deploys. The commission also heard that a security guard, organized by former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran and likely paid by Mr. Nassif's company, was stationed outside Mr. Perrottet's home. This guard's purpose was to help Mr. Perrottet avoid contact by process servers, illustrating a coordinated effort to obstruct justice.
Throughout his three days of testimony, Mr. Greenwood frequently struggled with recall, often challenged by counsel. Presiding Commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC intervened multiple times, directing him to answer questions. During a tense exchange on Wednesday regarding dealings with Catholic Schools NSW, Mr. Greenwood turned to someone in the hearing room, saying, "Don't give me that look." Commissioner Gleeson had to remind him of the need for respectful conduct, highlighting the pressure exerted when the system's inner workings are exposed. The ICAC inquiry, while exposing individual acts of corruption, ultimately functions within a system where such influence peddling remains a constant threat to collective resources.