Property developer Jean Nassif unable to appear at inquiry due to Lebanon trip

Property developer Jean Nassif — who famously gifted his wife a $480k yellow Lamborghini — has told a state parliamentary inquiry he cannot appear to give evidence as he is in a “remote part of Lebanon”.

Flamboyant property developer Jean Nassif — who famously gifted his wife a $480k yellow Lamborghini — has told a state parliamentary inquiry he cannot appear to give evidence as he is in a “remote part of Lebanon”.

Instead, the Toplace director has requested the Upper House committee to postpone its February hearings to a later date.

Established in December last year, the inquiry was convened to examine matters relating to integrity, processes of council, employees and elected officials of council; and the role and influence of developers and their interactions with councillors and members of parliament in the region.

The terms of reference also include “matters relating to The Hills Shire Council raised by the Member for Castle Hill in a speech to the Parliament on 23 June 2022”.

Liberal MP Ray Williams used parliamentary privilege to allege senior Liberal members had been paid significant funds by a property developer to install new councillors on Hills Shire Council in order to get development applications through.

Jean Nassif in 2022. Picture: Liam Mendes

At the 2021 local government elections, the former popularly elected mayor Michelle Byrne and six sitting Liberal councillors were replaced by the Liberal Party State Executive without the usual preselection processes.

Mr Williams said allegations had been raised with him that senior people within the Liberal Party, a member of the state executive and a former Hills councillor were supported financially at the time by Mr Nassif.

Mr Nassif is among several witnesses who have been called to appear before the inquiry.

Describing the allegations as “outlandish”, Mr Nassif denied any wrongdoing while indicating he would not be able to appear in person as he was overseas “principally in a remote part of Lebanon where I am originally from” and planning to remain so until March.

“I am managing overseas business in the Middle East and Asia. If my evidence is needed

by the committee I ask that you please postpone the hearing,” he wrote in a tabled letter to the inquiry.

“The allegations by Mr Williams were made on 23 June 2022 and the committee only called this inquiry in December of last year.

Jean Nassif with his model/actor wife Nissy. Picture: Instagram

“If the committee can wait six months to call the inquiry, it is unreasonable to assert that I must urgently return to Australia.”

Mr Nassif noted how Mr Williams has referred his allegations to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which he said had replied to declare that “no unlawful conduct had occurred”.

He said it was difficult to address Mr Williams’ allegations “as his assertions are so lacking in detail or evidence”.

However, he declared he had not met any of the current councillors of the Hills Shire Council and was not aware if they supported his developments or if they were “more or less supportive” of his developments than the previous councillors.

Mr Nassif accused Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott – a factional ally of Mr Williams – of “urging journalists for some time” to report on alleged improprieties involving his development “and each time the journalists have refused”.

“My knowledge of the Liberal Party of NSW is limited,” he said.

“However, it is ludicrous to suggest that any one person is able to influence the whole of that organisation.

“I have a high public profile and business in the area. This has invited political opportunist to use any connection with me (however slim or tangential) to achieve purely political ends.”