Icac hears witnesses fled to avoid scrutiny in Hills Council probe

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) has heard allegations that key witnesses in an investigation into political donations went to extraordinary lengths to avoid scrutiny, including fleeing the country and evading process servers. The revelations came during Operation Rosny, which is examining potential breaches of the Electoral Funding Act linked to the Hills Shire Council.

Witnesses allegedly fled jurisdiction

Counsel assisting the commission, Peggy Dwyer SC, detailed how individuals named in the probe had resisted cooperation with a 2023 parliamentary inquiry that preceded Icac’s current investigation. Dwyer said the earlier inquiry could not reach firm conclusions “in part because key figures central to the allegations were found to have left the jurisdiction, and/or to have deliberately avoided cooperating with process servers”.

Among those named was Charles Perrottet, who had taken up residence in Melbourne by the time the parliamentary inquiry convened and declined to return to NSW. Separately, Jean-Claude Perrottet is alleged to have traveled to Fiji, with financial assistance from others implicated in the scandal, in order to sit out the duration of the inquiry. A third individual, Christian Ellis, a former Liberal powerbroker, took measures to evade process servers by staying near the New South Wales-Victoria border.

Key figures remain uncooperative

The commission’s current inquiry has faced similar reluctance. As revealed by Guardian Australia, Ellis has since relocated to the United Kingdom and is not expected to give evidence to Icac. Dwyer stated: “Thus far, Mr Ellis has declined to give oral evidence to this public inquiry, during which he would be subject to cross-examination. He cites family responsibilities and different time zone.”

The commission has proposed accommodating his testimony via video link at times convenient to him, but Dwyer noted that “we await further response from his legal representatives.” Ellis has previously declined to comment on his relocation or the allegations before Icac. Both Charles and Jean-Claude Perrottet have denied any wrongdoing.

The Icac probe continues

The allegations under scrutiny stem from claims that Liberal party figures were paid significant sums to arrange for the election of new councillors to the Hills Shire Council. The parliamentary inquiry in 2023 was unable to fully investigate these claims due to the non-cooperation of key individuals. Now, Icac’s Operation Rosny is tasked with determining whether any criminal offenses were committed under the Electoral Funding Act.

The commission’s investigation remains ongoing, and further hearings are expected. The challenge of securing evidence from witnesses who have left the jurisdiction or refuse to participate raises questions about the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanisms in NSW. As the inquiry proceeds, the commission continues to seek cooperation from all parties involved.

Dwyer’s comments underscore the lengths to which some individuals have gone to avoid accountability. While the commission has tools to compel testimony, the international dimension and apparent resistance create significant hurdles. The outcome of Operation Rosny may set a precedent for how such cases are managed in the future, particularly when witnesses choose to exit the country rather than face scrutiny.