Key facts
- Former NSW MP David Elliott testified at ICAC alleging developer Jean Nassif engaged in smear campaigns, surveillance, and threats.
- Elliott believes these actions were retaliation for his opposition to large-scale property developments in his electorate.
- Nassif's company, Toplace, has faced rectification orders for several buildings.
- Elliott described the Liberal party's right faction as a "cult" and criticized party leadership.
- Former minister Eleni Petinos also testified, claiming she was used by Liberal party members and made a scapegoat.
Former New South Wales MP David Elliott has testified before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), alleging that developer Jean Nassif, who is now a fugitive in Lebanon, was responsible for a campaign to end his political career. Elliott claims Nassif planted damaging news stories, hired private investigators to follow him, issued death threats, and spread baseless rumours of an affair.
These alleged actions stemmed from Elliott's opposition to unchecked development in the Hills region of greater Sydney, where Nassif's company, Toplace, had significant projects. Elliott told ICAC that Nassif's company had faced rectification orders from the NSW building commissioner, David Chandler, and that Nassif had previously attempted to influence him and had followed him in public.
Elliott also used his testimony to criticize the right faction of the Liberal party, which he described as a "cult," and expressed strong disapproval of former Premier Dominic Perrottet and his brother Charles Perrottet. Charles Perrottet has been named as a person of interest in the ICAC inquiry concerning allegations of illegal donations from Nassif.
In related testimony, former fair trading minister Eleni Petinos stated she believed she was used by other members of the Liberal party to target building commissioner David Chandler and was later made a scapegoat. Petinos was sacked by Premier Perrottet in July 2022 amid bullying allegations, which she denied.