Key facts
- Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood is accused of paying 'kickbacks' from a Catholic Schools NSW contract to members of the Liberal group 'The Reformers'.
- Payments were allegedly made to Jean-Claude Perrottet and Robert Assaf, with Perrottet receiving half of a monthly retainer and Assaf a one-off 10% commission.
- Greenwood admitted Perrottet did no consulting work for Catholic Schools NSW after the contract was secured.
- Inquiry counsel suggested payments were not for genuine consultancy but to fund branch-stacking efforts for the Liberal Party.
- WhatsApp messages between Greenwood and Perrottet were presented as evidence of the arrangement, though Greenwood called them a 'stupid joke'.
An inquiry by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating allegations of corruption within New South Wales' Liberal Party, focusing on branch stacking and prohibited donations. On Wednesday, consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood testified about payments made by Catholic Schools NSW to his firm, JPG Advisory. Counsel assisting the inquiry, Peggy Dwyer SC, alleged that these payments were used as 'kickbacks' to fund members of a conservative Christian Liberal faction known as the Reformers. Greenwood is accused of agreeing to pay Jean-Claude Perrottet, described as his 'best mate', half of a monthly retainer if he could secure the contract with Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney. Robert Assaf also allegedly received a one-off 10% commission. Greenwood denied that no consulting work was done, but admitted that Perrottet performed no actual consulting for Catholic Schools NSW after the contract was secured. He suggested that fake invoices could have been used to justify payments, stating he would have 'no issue' with this as it was a 'commission arrangement'. WhatsApp messages presented to the inquiry showed Greenwood alluding to Perrottet receiving 'filthy schools' money', which Greenwood dismissed as a 'stupid joke'. McInerney, an ally of federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, is scheduled to appear as a witness. The inquiry previously heard a screenshot of a message from McInerney indicating a plan to seek $10,000 from Taylor.