Icac lawyer tells Charles Perrottet the key to lying is ‘you have to be really good at remembering it’

Charles Perrottet, a brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, has told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that he would provide fabricated updates to a property developer, Jean Nassif, with the intention of "keeping him on side." This admission was made during testimony on Monday concerning allegations that Perrottet, along with two other Liberal figures, anticipated receiving $2 million in prohibited political donations from Nassif. While acknowledging the potential for misleading statements, Charles Perrottet has explicitly denied lying to the New South Wales anti-corruption watchdog.

The proceedings saw counsel assisting the ICAC, Peggy Dwyer SC, directly challenge Perrottet's credibility, asserting that he was not truthful and was actively "constructing evidence." In response, Perrottet's legal representation, in a statement that underscored the complexities of deception, suggested that the crucial element of successful dishonesty is the ability to "be really good at remembering it." This assertion, while framed as a defence, highlights the strategic and premeditated nature of the alleged conduct under scrutiny, suggesting a deliberate effort to manage perceptions and information flow.

This testimony is a pivotal moment in a wider investigation by the ICAC into alleged misconduct involving political donations and property development within New South Wales. The commission is meticulously examining the conduct of several prominent Liberal Party figures, including Charles Perrottet, who are accused of either receiving or expecting to receive improper financial benefits. The overarching objective of this inquiry is to ascertain whether any individuals have breached their public duties or acted corruptly in their dealings with developers, particularly concerning sensitive planning decisions and the intricate mechanisms of political fundraising. The ICAC, established in 1988 as an independent statutory body, plays a critical role in investigating and exposing corruption within the public sector in New South Wales. Its investigations are designed to uncover wrongdoing, and can result in public hearings, formal findings of corruption, and the issuance of recommendations aimed at legislative and administrative reforms to bolster integrity in public life. The current investigation into the alleged political donations from Jean Nassif represents a significant undertaking for the commission, with potentially far-reaching implications for the integrity and public trust in the political processes of the state. Charles Perrottet's testimony, including his qualified admissions, constitutes a crucial component of the evidence being gathered by the commission as it seeks to establish the facts and determine any breaches of conduct.