Fishy story: Liberal figure says sushi deals were lies

Mr Perrottet denied taking money from developer Jean Nassif in exchange for political outcomes, saying any promises he appeared to make were lies.

Nassif left Australia for Lebanon in late 2022, with a warrant subsequently issued for his arrest over fraud allegations.

He was due to give evidence to the inquiry from Lebanon on Friday, but the commission was told late on Tuesday the developer provided a medical certificate and his evidence would be postponed.

During a meeting on May 5, 2021 at sushi and seafood dining destination Nobu, Mr Perrottet said Nassif raised issues he had with then building commissioner David Chandler and former police minister David Elliot.

Several days after the meeting, Mr Perrottet messaged Nassif's lawyer and Toplace executive Sharangan Maheswaran, relaying what occurred.

"I told Jean the best way to get the building commissioner off his back is to take the fight to Elliot and dismantle his infrastructure," Mr Perrottet wrote in the message. 

"If we can get 189 and Garthowen payments ... he'll be on his knees."

The reference to 189 and Garthowen were developments Nassif got assistance gaining approvals from consultancy firm Beckington.

In the message, Mr Perrottet outlined plans to control several branches for the Liberal Party's right-wing faction, which would disadvantage Mr Elliot, part of the opposing centre-right faction.

Beckington was owned by close associates of Mr Perrottet, Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis, both key figures in ICAC's investigation.

On May 31, $150,000 was deposited from Nassif's company Toplace to Beckington. 

Two days later, Mr Perrottet messaged Nassif thanking him for his support, updating him on political activities.

"Clearly, Mr Perrottet as a matter of common sense, you held out to Jean Nassif you could achieve these political outcomes for money, the money's then deposited, and then you thank him for his support," counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC said.

"No," Mr Perrottet said. 

Dr Dwyer said she was gobsmacked by his answer.

Mr Perrottet said he misled Nassif to get payments to Beckington and not for any political work he was involved in.

"I was making a lot of this stuff up," Mr Perrottet said.

"I was using Jean's concerns and interest to encourage him to make those payments ... I was humouring him."

The commission also heard a recorded phone conversation from June 2021 between another Perrottet brother - Jean-Claude - and Nassif, where the developer discussed giving Charles $100,000 for a preselection.

In the call, Jean-Claude relayed the success of some investments made on Nassif's behalf and suggested other investment opportunities.

"I was thinking to give it to your brother for the preselection," Nassif says.

"I'll give you a million in a couple of weeks' time."

During the exchange, Nassif also told him "the media is crook". 

"I know, it's outrageous," Jean-Claude Perrottet replied.

"They always come after the good ones."

Earlier on Tuesday, Charles Perrottet said he couldn't recall what he did to assist Nassif with developments, aside from advising he join the Property Council, pursue a new government fast-tracking channel and several low-level introductions.

"You cannot recall any additional work you did to assist Mr Nassif with his projects?" Dr Dwyer asked.

Mr Perrottet replied: "I just don't know."

The commission heard Mr Perrottet was paid thousands of dollars by Beckington through his wife Anita's business, Macquarie Consulting.

Mr Perrottet said the remuneration was only for the advice he had given Beckington on how to fast-track Nassif's developments.

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