Former New South Wales government minister Eleni Petinos appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday [1].
The appearance marks a significant escalation in a probe into the intersection of political power and private interests in Sydney. The investigation seeks to determine if undue influence was exerted over government processes through relationships between party powerbrokers and external entities.
Petinos was questioned as part of Operation Rosny [1]. This investigation focuses on alleged links between operatives of the Liberal Party, fugitive property developer Jean Nassif, and Catholic Schools NSW [1, 2]. The commission is examining whether these relationships facilitated corrupt conduct or improper influence within the state's political framework [1, 3].
The hearing in Sydney focused on the specific nature of the relationships between Petinos and known NSW Liberal Party powerbrokers [1]. Investigators are tracing how these connections may overlap with the broader activities of Nassif and the educational body [1, 3].
Operation Rosny has been underway for two weeks [4]. The probe continues to scrutinize the conduct of various figures associated with the former Perrottet government as the commission gathers evidence on the alleged network of influence [1, 2].
While the proceedings remain ongoing, the appearance of a former minister underscores the breadth of the inquiry. The ICAC has the authority to investigate allegations of serious corrupt conduct across the public sector in New South Wales [1].
“Operation Rosny focuses on alleged links between Liberal Party operatives, fugitive property developer Jean Nassif, and Catholic Schools NSW.”
This development suggests that ICAC's Operation Rosny is moving beyond lower-level operatives to examine the conduct of senior leadership within the former Perrottet government. By questioning a former minister, the commission is testing the strength of the alleged links between political powerbrokers and private interests, which could lead to wider findings of systemic corruption in NSW political funding or lobbying.
