A NSW parliamentary committee chair has blasted the witnesses of an inquiry, together with two of NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s brothers, for ducking requests to present proof into allegations of impropriety in opposition to a Sydney council.
Public hearings investigating the “role and influence of developers” on councillors and MPs on the Hills Shire Council will start on Wednesday.
Committee chair and Greens higher home member Sue Higginson mentioned “multiple attempts” had been made to summon Virginia Ellis, Christian Ellis and Jean-Claude Perrottet. It’s believed Charles Perrottet might be out of the state in the course of the inquiry.
Ms Higginson mentioned the committee had engaged “professional process servers” to search out the witnesses and serve the summonses so they may give proof.
“Parliamentary staff have since made multiple attempts to personally serve the summons on these individuals but have been unsuccessful,” she mentioned.
“As none of these witnesses has come forward, I can only reach the conclusion that they are making a deliberate decision to avoid appearing before the committee.
“The failure to co-operate with this committee demonstrates a blatant disregard of parliamentary process.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Premier mentioned he had not spoken to his brothers and accused Greens and Labor of “playing politics”.
The investigation was sparked in 2022 after Liberal MP Ray Williams used parliamentary privilege to assert that senior Liberal Party members had been “supported financially” by developer Jean Nassif to put in councillors who would assist push by improvement purposes lodged by Toplace.
Mr Nassif has wholly denied the claims and mentioned he wouldn’t be capable to seem earlier than the inquiry as a result of he was “in a remote part of Lebanon and am recuperating from a medical procedure”.
The inquiry will hear from two witnesses on Wednesday morning, together with Hills Shire Council normal supervisor Michael Edgar and Sydney businessman Frits Maré.
Source: www.news.com.au
