Lobbyist Paid for Former Premier's Brother to Fiji to Avoid Inquiry 2026

A lobbyist paid for former premier's brother to travel to Fiji to avoid a parliamentary inquiry, as revealed in Icac hearings. This article explores the details and implications of the Operation Rosny investigation.

Background of the Icac Operation Rosny

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating whether the Christian Liberal group known as the Reformers solicited or accepted prohibited donations for party membership recruitment. This practice, called branch stacking, is not illegal per se but becomes problematic when donations violate political funding rules.

The Reformers sought more conservative policies on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. Consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood has been a central figure in the hearings, though he disputes being a formal member of the group.

The Reformers and Branch Stacking

Branch stacking involves enrolling members to influence internal party votes. While not inherently illegal, it can lead to breaches of electoral funding laws. Icac's Operation Rosny focuses on whether prohibited donations were made to secure membership renewals or recruitments.

Greenwood's testimony on Wednesday provided new insights into how individuals attempted to evade scrutiny from a separate NSW parliamentary inquiry into branch stacking allegations.

Key Evidence from Jeremy Greenwood's Testimony

Greenwood admitted to giving Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, his credit card details to book flights to Fiji. He also arranged three loans totaling $25,000 for the trip in February 2023 via his lobbying firm JPG Advisory.

The inquiry also heard that Greenwood sent a message to Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney after McInerney received a summons from the parliamentary inquiry. The message read: "WTF. Go to Brisbane." Greenwood claimed he did not recall sending it.

Payments and Flights to Fiji

Greenwood's financial arrangements for Jean-Claude Perrottet's travel highlight a pattern of facilitating avoidance. The loans were processed through JPG Advisory, raising questions about the use of lobbying funds for personal travel.

Icac has previously heard that Greenwood, Reformers Christian Ellis and Jean-Claude Perrottet, as well as Charles Perrottet (another brother), avoided summons to appear at public hearings in 2023. Dominic Perrottet is not named as a person of interest.

Messages to Dallas McInerney

The message to McInerney suggests a coordinated effort to dodge legal obligations. Greenwood's admission that he himself avoided summons he considered "invalid" further complicates his credibility.

These actions underscore the lengths some individuals went to in order to prevent testimony that could expose improper conduct.

Comparison of Avoidance Tactics

Key Takeaways

• Lobbyist influence extended to financing travel for individuals to evade legal scrutiny.
• Branch stacking remains a contentious issue in NSW politics, with potential funding violations.
• Icac's investigation continues to uncover attempts to obstruct parliamentary processes.
• Public accountability is critical when political operatives use private funds to avoid inquiry.

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