World News
Dominic Perrottet’s sister-in-law denies lying under oath to cover illegal donation payments
Anita Perrottet told the NSW ICAC that hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to her were for genuine consulting services, rejecting claims the funds were disguised payouts for her husband.
The short version
- Anita Perrottet denied under oath at the NSW ICAC that she lied to cover up illegal political donations allegedly directed to her husband, Charles Perrottet.
- The commission is investigating whether Charles Perrottet, Christian Ellis, and Jeremy Greenwood accepted prohibited political donations from developer Jean Nassif between 2020 and 2023.
- Counsel assisting the inquiry asserted that $661,000 paid to Anita Perrottet for verbal consulting advice acted as a conduit for her husband's share of funds, which she rejected.
- Charles Perrottet has taken a leave of absence from his executive role at BP and is scheduled to testify on Friday alongside his wife.
Key facts
- Anita Perrottet testified before the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that payments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Beckington and JPG Advisory were for strategic and marketing advice.[The Guardian]
- ICAC is investigating whether Charles Perrottet, Christian Ellis, and Jeremy Greenwood accepted prohibited political donations totaling $2 million from fugitive property developer Jean Nassif and his company Toplace.[The Guardian]
- Counsel assisting the commission Dr Peggy Dwyer SC asserted that Anita Perrottet served as a conduit for $661,000, matching her husband's alleged share of the split funds.[The Guardian]
- Anita Perrottet stated her consulting advice was provided verbally, with no written contracts or proposals for certain high-value retainers.[The Guardian]
- Charles Perrottet took a leave of absence from his role as head of strategy and commercial development at BP in Australia and New Zealand ahead of his scheduled appearance at the inquiry.[The Guardian]
- Former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is not a person of interest in the ICAC inquiry, and no allegations have been made against him.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the payments made to Anita Perrottet were legitimate fees for professional advice or fabricated conduits for prohibited political donations.[The Guardian]