The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has heard that Anita Perrottet, wife of Charles Perrottet—a member of the NSW Reformers faction and brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet—was paid $254,666 for three months of consulting work in 2022.
ICAC is examining whether payments made to Ms Perrottet's company, Macquarie Consulting, by lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood's businesses Beckington and JPG Advisory were for genuine consulting services or were used to disguise funds allegedly intended for Charles Perrottet. The inquiry involves allegations that prohibited political donations were funneled through third parties to support the Liberal-aligned NSW Reformers and advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.
During the hearing, Ms Perrottet stated that her work primarily consisted of verbal marketing and strategic advice delivered through conversations with Mr Greenwood, either in person or by phone. She could recall little documentation of the work and only one Beckington client, Greyhound Racing NSW, about which she advised Mr Greenwood during face-to-face meetings but could not remember specific details of those meetings.
Dr Dwyer challenged the justification for the payment, stating, "That's based on a salary of $1 million, Mrs Perrottet … let's get serious." Mr Greenwood also questioned the credibility of the evidence, asking, "You are giving evidence under oath … Do you seriously suggest that the commission should accept that as truthful evidence that you were entitled to charge $254,666 for work that you actually did … providing an oral sounding board or advice to Jeremy Greenwood for that quarter?" Furthermore, the inquiry probed whether Ms Perrottet was struggling to remember details because the work might not have actually occurred.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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