Icac’s drama and dirt files show NSW’s ‘guns for hire’ problem. But neither major party is serious about reform
Summary
An inquiry by New South Wales’ Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) examined allegations that Liberal Party operatives were paid by developer Jean Nassif and worked to advance his interests. The state Labor government has introduced a bill to strengthen oversight of third-party lobbyists, but the article says the proposal does not cover all of ICAC’s earlier reform recommendations and may not become law before the election.Key Facts
- ICAC’s Operation Rosny examined the activities of a group of former Liberal staffers known as the Reformers.
- ICAC alleged that the operatives, including Charles Perrottet, were paid $2 million by developer Jean Nassif and worked to advance his interests.
- Charles Perrottet has repeatedly denied taking payments from Nassif for political outcomes.
- Dominic Perrottet is not a person of interest in the inquiry and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
- Nassif’s company, Toplace, collapsed, leaving hundreds of buyers with substandard buildings; Nassif has fled to Lebanon.
- The proposed bill would make the NSW Electoral Commission the regulator for third-party lobbyists and give it powers to audit compliance and request records and explanations.
- The bill would also require lobbyists who interact with councils to register and follow the lobbyists’ code of conduct.
- The bill passed the New South Wales lower house on Wednesday, but may not become law before the state election.
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