Hills Shire inquiry: Toplace developer Jean Nassif ‘recuperating’ in Lebanon, lashes allegations

A Sydney developer at the centre of a parliamentary inquiry has revealed he’s “recuperating” after a medical procedure in Lebanon as he took aim at the allegations, inquiry and media coverage.

Toplace property developer Jean Nassif.

The Sydney developer at the centre of a parliamentary inquiry examining allegations of misconduct between developer Toplace and Hills Shire councillors has called the inquiry “political kabuki”, in a letter sent to the inquiry and made publicly available.

Toplace owner Jean Nassif is “recuperating” in Lebanon after a pre-planned medical procedure, a letter sent by the developer to the inquiry revealed.

In the wide-ranging two-page letter to the inquiry’s chair Mr Nassif revealed he was resting and recovering, “before travelling further to manage my overseas business interests”.

The letter lashed the Liberal government’s housing policy calling it “the worst housing situation in the world” and called the allegations of misconduct “not credible” and asked instead why there wasn’t more urgency behind an inquiry into the state’s housing crisis.

In December, the NSW Parliament established an inquiry into the 2021 conduct of Mr Nassif, his development firm Toplace, Hills Shire councillors, Liberal powerbroker Christian Ellis and other senior party figures after allegations were raised by Castle Hill MP Ray Williams in a speech in parliament.

Jean Nassif, Toplace owner. Picture: Liam Mendes

On Friday, it was revealed Mr Nassif would not appear at the parliamentary inquiry due to start on Wednesday.

“I left Australia on a pre-planned trip before the inquiry was even called, let alone when the hearing dates were set,” Mr Nassif said in the letter.

The developer took issue with the inquiry’s committee revealing he was not going to appear, calling media coverage that he left to avoid appearing “ridiculous and counterfactual”.

“If I had been asked, I would have asked that you please redact my current whereabouts as it is inherently dangerous due to my particular circumstances,” Mr Nassif said in the letter.

Skyview, 51 Old Castle Hill Road, Castle Hill, a property developed by Toplace. Picture: Monique Harmer

He also claimed the committee had found time over the past four years to examine Aboriginal cultural heritage, the health of kangaroos, puppy farms, koala populations but had not once held an inquiry into housing supply and rental affordability.

“Maybe the sight of young people queuing around city blocks looking for rental properties does not worry the committee,” Mr Nassif said.

“Where is the urgency behind inquiring into that imminent social catastrophe?”

Sue Higginson MP, the inquiry’s chair. Picture: Cath Piltz

The inquiry’s chair, Greens upper house member Sue Higginson, said the committee had made “extensive efforts” to bring all relevant witnesses before the inquiry.

“The inquiry is a properly constituted parliamentary inquiry with terms of reference that go to serious matters of public interest and importance,” she said.

“Mr Nassif has indicated that he would be willing and able to participate in the inquiry and I encourage him to do so.

“I appreciate Mr Nassif‘s opinions about the committee’s activities during this term of parliament but they are not relevant to the inquiry, neither are his opinions about housing policies announced by political parties in the lead up to the March election.”

The inquiry will start on Wednesday.