AFP finds no evidence of criminal conduct in controversial Leppington Triangle sale

The AFP has cleared the federal government’s purchase of a NSW development site for ten times its worth despite a scathing report.

A scathing report from the Auditor-General last year found the federal government paid almost $30 million for a parcel of land next to the proposed Western Sydney Airport, which was valued at only $3 million. Picture: Toby Zerna

Australian Federal Police have found no evidence of criminal conduct in the commonwealth’s controversial purchase of the Leppington Triangle site for ten times its worth.

The AFP on Tuesday announced the closing of the year-long case into whether there was criminal activity among anyone, including government bureaucrats, connected to the sale.

A scathing report from the Auditor-General last year found the federal government paid almost $30 million for a parcel of land next to the proposed Western Sydney Airport, which was valued at only $3 million.

The land was bought from the Leppington Pastoral Corporation with the aim of eventually using it as part of the airport’s second runway in 2050.

On Wednesday, an AFP spokeswoman said the investigation – which started in July 2020 – found no evidence Commonwealth officials broke the law or received any personal benefit from the sale.

“The AFP carefully assessed whether there was sufficient evidence to establish elements of the respective offences,” she said.

“The investigation did not identify any evidence of criminal offending by Commonwealth officials, or other people involved in the purchase.

“The financial analysis undertaken as part of the investigation found no evidence of Commonwealth officials obtaining a personal benefit from the acquisition, or other persons receiving or paying corrupt payments.”

The AFP probe also found the purchase was in line with the requirements of the Lands Acquisition Act (1989), and was authorised by the appropriate authorities.

The land was owned by wealthy businessmen Tony and Ron Perich through their LPC dairy farm and their company has had financial links to the Liberal Party. The LPC donated nearly $58,800 to the Liberal Party in 2018-19 and $62,700 to the Liberal and National parties in 2015-16. It made smaller donations to the Labor Party in the mid-2000s.

There was no suggestion ministers or MPs were involved in the Leppington purchase.