'Needs a Valium': Brother of former NSW premier fronts corruption inquiry
The brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet says he undertook factional work while on the clock for another MP in his first appearance before a corruption inquiry.
The brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet testified before a corruption inquiry that he undertook factional duties while working for a Liberal MP. Jean-Claude Perrottet expressed frustration at not being compensated for his efforts. Another brother, Charles Perrottet, is also expected to appear as a witness.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is probing Jean-Claude Perrottet and other Liberal Party officials for potential breaches of donation laws. The allegations emerged from a 2022 parliamentary speech by Liberal MP Ray Williams, who claimed that developer Jean Nassif had donated money to Liberal Party operatives in exchange for favorable outcomes for his developments in the Hills Shire region.
Jean-Claude Perrottet was absent during a prior parliamentary inquiry into these allegations but is now providing evidence to the ICAC. The inquiry heard that Perrottet was highly dedicated to advancing the right-wing agenda within Liberal Party branches, as evidenced by a 2019 text message between Reformer members Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood.
The message, read at the inquiry, noted Perrottet's exasperation and impatience during his work for the Reformers faction. Perrottet indicated that he occasionally performed factional tasks during his work hours at the office of veteran Liberal MP Damien Tudehope, although he was unsure if Tudehope was aware of this. Perrottet admitted that he might have expressed frustration about not being compensated for his Reformers work in a 2020 text message.
He denied leaving his position with Tudehope solely due to this reason. Tudehope previously testified before the ICAC that he had leaked a confidential report about the alleged branch stacking and donation breaches to another Reformer, Jeremy Greenwood. NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane expressed concern over the leaking of such a report, stating that she would reconsider Tudehope's position within her team once the inquiry concludes.
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