Fugitive property developer Jean Nassif will no longer appear before the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption by video link this Friday as originally scheduled. The hearing has been postponed after Nassif provided the commission with a medical certificate. ICAC is investigating allegations involving prohibited political donations and potential political outcomes linked to property developments. Nassif has previously denied any wrongdoing.
A new development has emerged in the NSW corruption inquiry involving Jean Nassif.
Nassif had been scheduled to give evidence by video link later this week, but his appearance has now been delayed.
Counsel assisting the commission, Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, told the inquiry that Nassif had supplied a medical certificate and would instead appear at a later stage of the public hearing.
Appearance postponed days after being announced
The postponement comes less than a week after ICAC confirmed that Nassif was expected to give evidence.
The property developer left Australia in 2022 and relocated to rural Lebanon after a NSW parliamentary inquiry that preceded the current ICAC investigation.
His planned appearance was therefore expected to be one of the most closely watched moments of the inquiry.
What ICAC is investigating
ICAC is examining allegations that Liberal-linked figures, including Charles Perrottet, anticipated receiving $2 million in prohibited political donations from Nassif in exchange for political outcomes that could benefit his developments.
These remain allegations under investigation and have not been established as fact.
Nassif has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Charles Perrottet questioned over dinner with Nassif
During the hearing, Charles Perrottet was questioned about a 2021 dinner with Nassif at Nobu in Melbourne.
Perrottet denied ever asking Nassif for money in exchange for political outcomes.
He did, however, tell the commission that he had sometimes lied or added a “political flavour” to updates given to the developer in an effort to keep him on side.
That evidence will now form part of the broader material being considered by ICAC.
New date yet to be announced
A replacement date for Nassif’s evidence has not yet been made public.
The medical certificate does not remove him from the inquiry. His appearance has simply been rescheduled for later in the public hearing.
His eventual testimony remains highly significant because it could allow the commission to question him directly about his relationships with political figures and the allegations surrounding political donations.
For now, the inquiry continues with other witnesses and further examination of the links between politics, fundraising and property development.
