Key facts
- Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood testified before the Icac regarding alleged illegal donations.
- Greenwood denied being part of the Reformers faction, stating there was no evidence of his involvement.
- He advised members of the Reformers to cease activities due to the group becoming "toxic".
- Icac is investigating whether conservative Liberal figures solicited or accepted undeclared or capped donations.
- Greenwood admitted to assisting one Reformers event under pressure but downplayed his overall involvement.
Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood has told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that there is no evidence he was involved with the Reformers, a conservative factional group within the Liberal party. Greenwood, 37, who is named in two of Icac's Operation Rosny allegations, stated that he advised members of the group "not to keep going" after it became "toxic".
Icac is investigating whether conservative Liberal figures, including Greenwood, solicited or accepted undeclared or capped donations from prohibited donors for the recruitment or renewal of Liberal party members. While branch-stacking itself is not illegal, the inquiry is focused on the alleged donation practices.
Greenwood admitted his political views aligned with the Reformers, who sought more conservative policies on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. However, he disputed claims of significant involvement, stating he only assisted one event under "heavy pressure" and had yet to see evidence of his broader participation.
During a tense exchange, Greenwood was questioned about his support for the group's petitions. He also discussed his past association with Christian Ellis, with whom he co-founded the lobbying company Beckington. The commission has heard that Beckington received payments for factional work under questionable arrangements.
Greenwood stated that his involvement with Beckington "started to cause me a lot of grief professionally" and that his firm, JGP Advisory, had lost clients following the announcement of Icac's inquiry. He remains close friends with Ellis and other Reformers members, including Charles Perrottet, Robert Assaf, and Jean-Claude Perrottet, with whom he attended Redfield College. He also described Dominic Perrottet as a friend.
The inquiry has previously heard allegations that Greenwood and other Reformers members avoided summons to a parliamentary inquiry in 2023. Dominic Perrottet is not accused of wrongdoing, while Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet have denied any wrongdoing. Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney is expected to appear this week, as Icac investigates allegations of prohibited donations made by the schools' governing body.