ICAC Operation Rosny public inquiry to commence
NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry commencing at 10am on Monday 27 July 2026 as part of an investigation – Operation Rosny – into allegations concerning people associated with the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division), the CEO of Catholic Schools NSW Dallas McInerney, property developer Jean Nassif, hotelier Michael O’Hara, certain Strathfield councillors and others.
Public inquiry schedule and witness list for the week commencing 27 July 2026
On Wednesday 22 July, a list of witnesses was provided to interested parties authorised to appear at the public inquiry. The witness list, together with the schedule for the first week of the public inquiry, is provided below.
Monday 27 July 2026
Directions: Assistant Commissioner Fabian Gleeson SC
Opening statement of Counsel Assisting the Commission: Dr Peggy O’Dwyer SC
Michael O’Hara
Tuesday 28 July 2026
Dylan Whitelaw
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Dylan Whitelaw
Thursday 30 July 2026
Robert Assaf
Friday 31 July 2026
Robert Assaf
Operation Rosny Public Inquiry details
The Operation Rosny public inquiry will commence on Monday 27 July 2026. The inquiry is expected to run for eight weeks.
Members of the media may attend proceedings at the Commission's premises or view the livestream on the ICAC website.
Due to limited seating at the Commission’s premises, members of the public are encouraged to watch the proceedings via the livestream.
- Commencement date: Monday, 27 July 2026
- 9.30 am: short media briefing on logistical matters
- 10 am: inquiry commences
- Location: ICAC Hearing Room, Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
- Presiding Commissioner: The Hon Fabian Gleeson SC, Assistant Commissioner
- Counsel Assisting: Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, Juliet Curtin, Hugo Wilesmith
Operation Rosny allegations
Allegation 1
Whether, between 2019 and 2023:
- Persons, including Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood, Robert Assaf and Jean-Claude Perrottet solicited or accepted political donations, including from prohibited donors, in amounts that were not declared and exceeded applicable donation caps, for purposes that included the recruitment and/or renewal of members to the Liberal Party;
- Political donations, in amounts that were not declared and exceeded applicable donation caps, were made by Catholic Schools NSW, pursuant to payments arranged and approved by its Chief Executive Officer, Dallas McInerney, for purposes that included the recruitment and/or renewal of members to the Liberal Party;
- Political donations, in amounts that were not declared and exceeded applicable donation caps, were made by Paslibdan Pty Ltd, on behalf of prohibited donor Michael O’Hara, for purposes that included the recruitment and/or renewal of members to the Liberal Party;
- Various persons entered into or carried out schemes for purposes that included circumventing the prohibitions or requirements of Part 3 of the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW) with respect to the political donations referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 above,
which conduct could involve possible offences under ss 143, 144 and 145 of the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW).
Allegation 2
Whether, between approximately 2020 and 2023, political donations were made by or on behalf of Jean Nassif and Toplace Pty Ltd, being prohibited donors under the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW), and were solicited or accepted by Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood and Charles Perrottet:
- for purposes that included the recruitment and/or renewal of members to the Liberal Party, which conduct could involve possible offences under ss 143, 144 and 145 of the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW); and/or
- involving a scheme entered into or carried out by various persons for purposes that included circumventing the prohibitions or requirements of Part 3 of the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW) with respect to the political donations referred to above; and/or
- in exchange for the pursuit of outcomes sought by Mr Nassif, including damage to the political career of the Hon David Elliott MP and the removal of the Building Commissioner, David Chandler OAM, from public office and/or preventing him from exercising his official functions in respect of Mr Nassif’s developments, and whether the pursuit of such outcomes may constitute corrupt conduct by various persons within the meaning of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 (NSW).
Allegation 3
Whether Strathfield Councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and/or Karen Pensabene engaged in conduct towards Strathfield Councillor Matthew Blackmore that involves the dishonest or partial exercise of their official functions and/or a breach of public trust, including conduct which could involve blackmail and/or possible breaches of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007.
Contact details:
Julia Holman, 0417 467 801, [email protected]