Former MP Tells Corruption Inquiry Premier’s Brother Shared Audio Files Targeting Developer’s Rivals

A former New South Wales Liberal lawmaker told an anti-corruption inquiry that the brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet distributed damaging audio recordings that appeared to target political opponents of a fugitive property developer.

Testifying before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Chris Spence acknowledged that Charles Perrottet shared two secret audio recordings with him in 2021. Asked if the sharing of the files was an effort to further the political interests of developer Jean Nassif, Spence testified that “upon reflection, it would look that way,” though he stated that was not his perspective at the time.

The corruption watchdog is examining whether Liberal Party figures, including Charles Perrottet, accepted political donations from Nassif and his firm, Toplace, in exchange for political interventions. These alleged favors included seeking the removal of former state building commissioner David Chandler and attempting to damage the political standing of former minister David Elliott.

Spence detailed the contents of the two audio files sent to him by Charles Perrottet in 2021, when Spence was serving as chief of staff to then-minister Anthony Roberts. The first file, shared in May 2021, allegedly captured Nassif speaking about an arrangement where Chandler would issue an occupation certificate for a property development in exchange for cash. The recording was sent alongside text messages requesting money transfers into a bank account. ICAC confirmed Chandler is not accused of any wrongdoing and is not a person of interest in the probe.

The second recording, delivered in October 2021, was a pocket phone recording in which Elliott criticized Dominic Perrottet shortly before he became premier. Elliott previously testified to the commission that Nassif had targeted him after Elliott opposed a controversial development proposed by Nassif’s firm in northern Sydney.

Spence testified that Charles Perrottet sent the first file to ask about a business near Spence’s former electorate and claimed the second file was shared to request help removing background noise. Spence described Charles Perrottet as “quite good at strategy” within the Liberal Party’s conservative faction, but rejected suggestions that he served as a direct conduit to his brother.

The inquiry also addressed prior testimony from former minister Eleni Petinos, who alleged she may have been pressured by Liberal figures to dismiss Chandler in 2022. Spence admitted sharing a video given to him by Charles Perrottet with Petinos’ chief of staff, but denied recommending that Petinos take action against Chandler.

Background

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is an independent statutory body responsible for investigating public sector corruption in New South Wales, Australia. Dominic Perrottet served as the Premier of New South Wales from October 2021 until March 2023 following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian. His brother, Charles Perrottet, is an influential figure within the state Liberal Party’s conservative faction. Jean Nassif, the founder of development company Toplace, is currently a fugitive subject to police arrest warrants following regulatory investigations into high-rise residential projects across Sydney.