Corruption Inquiry Probes $254K Payment to Anita Perrottet

Anita Perrottet, the sister-in-law of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, has come under scrutiny at a corruption inquiry regarding substantial payments made for consulting work.

During the hearings, it was revealed that Ms. Perrottet received $254,666 for just three months of work through her company, Macquarie Consulting, in 2022. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations of illicit political donations linked to the Liberal-aligned NSW Reformers faction, which are said to have funneled money from developer Jean Nassif.

The commission questioned the legitimacy of Ms. Perrottet's payments, which were processed via lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood's firms. Counsel Peggy Dwyer SC highlighted the discrepancies, suggesting that Ms. Perrottet's claim of providing mostly verbal advice did not justify such a high salary. Dwyer remarked, "That’s based on a salary of $1 million, Mrs. Perrottet… let’s get serious." Ms. Perrottet admitted to a $10,000 monthly retainer from Beckington but lacked a formal agreement.

As the inquiry progresses, Ms. Perrottet's recollection of her consulting work has been called into question. She could only identify one client and struggled to recall details of her interactions with Greenwood. The commission has requested further evidence, including phone records, as it continues to explore the nature of these payments and their implications.

Source: www.abc.net.au