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Dotted around the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s Elizabeth Street headquarters (even in the bathrooms) are framed signs which state: “Feeling anxious or stressed from being interviewed at the commission? Our witness liaison officer is here to help you.”
If lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood was nervous about his fifth day of evidence at the watchdog’s Operation Rosny inquiry, he certainly wasn’t showing it. With the finish line in sight, Greenwood looked remarkably calm on Wednesday morning as counsel assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer, SC, continued her forensic examination of his involvement in an alleged multimillion-dollar bribe by disgraced property developer Jean Nassif.
By now, Greenwood’s technique for getting through the encounter was well established, with a seemingly never-ending volley of “I can’t recall” or “I don’t know”. The routine may help explain why he appeared so relaxed this week compared to his debut appearance last month, when he was wound up tighter than a spring. Even tricky questions about a $148,500 cheque which landed in the mailbox of his St Leonards apartment building failed to rattle the former political staffer.
Then, at 11.17am, Greenwood’s demeanour changed when Dwyer opened up a most curious new line of questioning. In addition to being allegedly corrupt, could he also be guilty of illegally recording someone in a Hollywood-style sting?
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Dwyer revealed the ICAC had come into possession of a text message exchange in which Greenwood expressed a desire for private investigator Shane De Kauwe to fit him with secret recording equipment before a meeting with political figures.
“Can I get Shane to wire me for sound tomorrow and you guys pick up the bill?” Greenwood texted Sharangan Maheswaran, then a Strathfield Labor councillor and senior executive at Nassif’s Toplace development company.
The text was sent ahead of a meeting Greenwood was to have with two Liberal Party figures from Parramatta, the commission heard. Maheswaran wrote back to Greenwood: “I can give you the equipment or Shane can, so either way.”
Dwyer asked Greenwood if the texts showed he wanted to secretly record a conversation – in most circumstances a criminal offence in NSW.
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Sensing the potential seriousness of what the message might point to, Greenwood looked decidedly less relaxed as he sought to downplay its meaning.
“It’s just a silly comment,” he offered. “I don’t think that meeting happened.” Pressed why on earth he would say such a thing, Greenwood replied: “I have to stress it’s just a stupid comment.”
Dwyer matter-of-factly observed there was no evidence the message was a joke.
By lunchtime, Greenwood’s arrogance crept back in as he sought to explain why his lobbying companies Beckington and JPG Advisory paid $660,999 to a firm owned by Anita Perrottet, the wife of Greenwood’s close mate Charles Perrottet.
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The money was paid to Anita’s company Macquarie Consulting between July 2020 and December 2022 despite not a scrap of written evidence of her doing any work. Anita insists the money was for legitimate marketing advice she delivered orally in phone calls and meetings.
The ICAC believes the money was a way of funnelling funds from Nassif to Charles Perrottet in exchange for his work seeking political outcomes on behalf of the developer. Greenwood also stood to earn big from the arrangement with Nassif – so much so that he planned to buy a Porsche.
Asked what sort of advice Anita Perrottet gave to assist Greenwood’s clients, the lobbyist said she offered a “mum’s perspective” on the vaping black market.
“The mum’s perspective is so important – it’s what everybody in politics looks for,” Greenwood enthused.
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Dwyer seemed incredulous that this advice would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. “I just want you to know the mum’s perspective is not something to push to the side,” Greenwood replied. “It’s very important in this line of work.”
Greenwood will return to the witness box on Friday to complete his evidence and potentially be cross-examined. Then what? His lobbying firm JPG Advisory is still registered but it’s difficult to see how he will sign up a stack of new clients in the short term, given his starring role in Operation Rosny.
He might also be owed some money for services rendered in the past. Greenwood revealed on Wednesday that he, like many Sydneysiders screwed over by the man he did business with, is a creditor of Nassif’s failed Toplace empire. Our hearts bleed for him.
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Bevan Shields is a senior writer, and former editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.AdvertisementAdvertisement