NSW Liberal faction's 'filthy schools money' text a 'stupid joke', ICAC hears

ICAC's political donations inquiry investigates 'filthy schools money' text exchangePosted Wed 12 Aug 2026 at 3:13pmWed 12 Aug 2026 at 3:13pm, updated Wed 12 Aug 2026 at 3:22pmWed 12 Aug 2026 at 3:22pmLobbyist Jeremy Greenwood faced questions about a text exchange at ICAC. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)In short:The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is examining a text exchange between two ex-members of a right-wing Liberal-aligned faction.Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood told the inquiry a text referencing "filthy schools money" allegedly given to Jean-Claude Perrottet was a "stupid joke".The ICAC is investigating allegations prohibited donations were funnelled to support the faction.A former NSW Liberal Party operative has told the state's corruption watchdog a text he sent referring to handing over "filthy schools money" was a "stupid joke".The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is examining allegations that prohibited political donations were funnelled through third parties to support the Liberal-aligned, right-wing faction NSW Reformers and advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.The inquiry has heard that members of the Reformers used companies, sham invoices, and consulting agreements to disguise political donations, including payments allegedly channelled through Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW).It is also examining allegations involving lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood's former company, Beckington, which is alleged to have been used to disguise political donations as payments for lobbying and government relations work.Mr Perrottet was involved in a text message exchange with Mr Greenwood. (AAP: George Chan)At the inquiry's first hearing last month, a text exchange was shown in which Mr Greenwood told Jean-Claude Perrottet: "Hey, so you know I'm good to you and help you and give you your filthy schools money and put up with you f***ing whinging."Mr Perrottet replied: "Don't put that in writing."Mr Greenwood then responded: "It deletes."Jean-Claude Perrottet is the brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and a was a member of the Reformers faction.Counsel assisting the commissioner, Peggy Dwyer SC, alleged the money referred to payments from CSNSW intended to fund Liberal Party recruitment work.Mr Greenwood says the message is a "joke". (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)Dr Dwyer had previously said the exchange would form part of the evidence the commission would rely on to argue main Reformers players knew "sham arrangements" were used.On his third day of evidence, Mr Greenwood said it was a "stupid joke" with a friend about something that would "make him nervous to hear".Dr Dwyer said: "You knew it was, in your words, filthy schools money, because that was a dodgy arrangement where you were passing on money from Catholic Schools that was intended to fund his recruitment work for the Liberal Party, correct?"Mr Greenwood replied: "No … Look, it's a stupid joke. I rile him up all the time … I regret it, because it's become prominent here, but it's just our relationship."The commission also heard that Mr Perrottet deleted the message from his phone.In Dr Dwyer's opening statement, it was revealed Mr Perrottet travelled to Fiji to avoid giving evidence in a 2023 parliamentary inquiry, with "financial assistance from others named" in the allegations.Mr Greenwood told the ICAC on Wednesday he paid for the trip to help him to avoid being summonsed.The commission also heard a security guard organised by former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran — and likely paid by Mr Nassif's company — was stationed outside his home to also help him avoid being contacted by process servers.