ICAC inquiry opens in Sydney on 27th July 2026
An ICAC inquiry into allegations involving NSW political donations, Strathfield councillors and other matters will open in Sydney at 10am on Monday 27th July 2026.
The public hearing is part of Operation Rosny, an investigation concerning people associated with the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division), Catholic Schools NSW chief executive officer Dallas McInerney, property developer Jean Nassif, hotelier Michael O’Hara, certain Strathfield councillors and others.
Among the matters under investigation are allegations that, between 2019 and 2023, political donations including from prohibited donors were solicited or accepted in amounts that were not declared and exceeded applicable donation caps for purposes including the recruitment and or renewal of Liberal Party members.
Allegations under Operation Rosny
The inquiry will also examine whether political donations were made by Catholic Schools New South Wales through payments arranged and approved by McInerney, and whether donations were made by Paslibdan Pty Ltd on behalf of prohibited donor Michael O’Hara. The conduct outlined in the first two allegations could involve possible offences under sections 143, 144 and 145 of the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW).
A second allegation concerns whether, between about 2020 and 2023, political donations were made by or on behalf of Jean Nassif and Toplace Pty Ltd, described as prohibited donors under the Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW), and were solicited or accepted by Christian Ellis, Jeremy Greenwood and Charles Perrottet.
That allegation also covers whether donations were linked to outcomes sought by Nassif, including damage to the political career of the Hon David Elliott MP and the removal of Building Commissioner David Chandler OAM from public office or preventing him from exercising his official functions in respect of Nassif’s developments.
A third allegation concerns whether Strathfield councillors Sharangan Maheswaran and or Karen Pensabene engaged in conduct towards Strathfield councillor Matthew Blackmore involving the dishonest or partial exercise of official functions, a breach of public trust, blackmail and or possible breaches of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007.
Assistant Commissioner the Hon Fabian Gleeson SC will preside over the ICAC inquiry. Counsel assisting the commission will be Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, Juliet Curtin and Hugo Wilesmith.
The hearing is expected to run for eight weeks at the ICAC Public Hearing Room, Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Proceedings will be available at the commission’s premises and by live stream on the ICAC website.
