Dominic Perrottet’s brother Charles not attending state parliamentary inquiry

Dominic Perrottet’s brother has revealed he will not be participating in a state parliamentary inquiry, describing it as “Labor-Greens circus”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet’s brother Charles has revealed he will not be participating in a state parliamentary inquiry in which he has been called as a witness, describing it as “Labor-Greens circus”.

In a statement obtained by The Daily Telegraph, Charles Perrottet attacked the statements of some of the committee members for their “ill-informed” and “defamatory comments” while reminding them how he lived in Victoria.

Non-NSW residents cannot be summonsed to appeared before a NSW parliamentary inquiry.

“I refer to your letter 15 February 2023,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I will not be participating in your Labor/Greens circus. I decline your invitation. I am a resident of Victoria. I have resided in Victoria since January 2021.

“I reserve my position in relation to the partisan, ill-informed, speculative and defamatory commentary, including statements to the press and “media releases”, by some committee members.”

Mr Perrottet said the chair of the committee, Greens MLC Sue Higginson, should “reflect further on the preceding paragraph” as she is a lawyer who operated “her own legal practice”.

“I do not waive any rights of procedural fairness,” he said.

Charlie Perrottet pictured on his Facebook page. Also known as Charles Perrottet. Brother of Dominic Perrottet.

Charles Perrottet, his younger brother Jean-Claude have been called to appear before a parliamentary inquiry examining the influence of property developers on Hills Shire council in Sydney’s north-west, but have not responded.

The committee enlisted professional investigators to help to track down the premier’s brothers, with Charles Perrottet found to be living in Victoria.

However, a source close to the Perrottet family said investigators searching for Jean-Claude appeared to be staking out the wrong residence.

The investigators had reported to the inquiry how they had been turning up to a house. A source close to Jean-Claude said he lived in a multi-level apartment.

Committee chairwoman, Greens MP Sue Higginson, has been urging those sought by the inquiry “to do the right thing and come forward”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The inquiry was launched after Liberal MP for Castle Hill Ray Williams used parliamentary privilege to allege members of the NSW Liberal Party had been “paid significant funds” to install new councillors in the Hills area to benefit local developers.

Mr Williams speech has formed part of the terms of reference for the inquiry.

Toplace director Jean Nassif has also been called to appear before the inquiry, but has declared that he is currently in rural Lebanon recovering from a medical procedure.

In a letter tabled at the inquiry, Mr Nassif vehemently denied any allegations any of impropriety.

Former Hills Shire mayor Dr Michelle Byrne told the inquiry during her appearance last week how she had a “gut feeling” allegations a large developer paid “significant funds” to sway council staff were true.

However, a source close to Hills Shire council has claimed the majority of developments involving Toplace occurred when Dr Byrne was mayor.

The hearing is to resume on February 23.