In a secretly recorded phone call, property developer Jean Nassif allegedly boasted that 'the premier is my best friend' and that he had 'my hand on the state government' - claims that, according to the premier's brother, were just 'bravado' and 'far-fetched.' The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) heard on Thursday that Nassif, who fled to Lebanon in 2022, allegedly made prohibited donations to support factional Liberal work, including a total of $2m from him or his company Toplace between 2020 and 2023. The alleged quid pro quo? Political outcomes like damaging the career of former NSW Liberal minister David Elliott and removing building commissioner David Chandler, who had been scrutinising defects in Toplace apartments.

Charles Perrottet, brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, testified that Nassif's claims were nonsense, though the commission heard that after a May 2021 meeting at Nobu, the fine-dining restaurant in Melbourne's Crown Casino, Charles wrote that he had advised Nassif 'the best way to get the building commissioner off his back is to take the fight to Elliott and dismantle his infrastructure,' which would leave Elliott 'on his knees.' Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC suggested it was 'little wonder' Nassif thought he had the right faction in his pocket after Dominic became premier.

Charles also denied knowledge of a secret phone recording in which Elliott allegedly criticised Dominic, suggesting it might have been a pocket dial - despite the recording featuring a rhythmic sound that Dwyer likened to a heartbeat 'that suggests a recording device.' The commission heard Charles passed the recording to another NSW Liberal MP, and Ellis shared it with a private investigator employed by Toplace to improve audio quality.

Charles admitted he might have lied to Christian Ellis and regularly misled Nassif, adding 'political flavour' to advice to chase payments for lobbying work by Beckington, a company controlled by Ellis and Greenwood. Dwyer suggested the real fabrication was his testimony to the commission, making it sound like he didn't take the active steps outlined in texts. Charles rejected this, though he couldn't recall calling Robyn Preston, a former Hills shire councillor, despite a text saying he would.

The inquiry continues, with Greenwood and Maheswaran scheduled to appear next week. Nassif, who has denied wrongdoing, withdrew from a video appearance after providing a medical certificate. Charles Perrottet has consistently denied accepting payments in exchange for political outcomes. As the hearings unfold, one thing is clear: in NSW politics, everyone's best friend seems to have a very short memory.