Former NSW police and transport minister David Elliott has broken his silence over allegations of an extramarital affair, labeling them as part of a "dirt sheet" aimed at damaging him and a smear campaign by rivals within the Liberal Party. The allegations were reportedly included in a document known as the 'David Elliott Shit Sheet,' which was allegedly emailed to Liberal Party-affiliated lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood.
Dylan Whitelaw, a former Liberal apparatchik, admitted in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) witness box that there could be a connection between the dossier and fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. Counsel assisting the commission, Juliet Curtin, suggested that the document was prepared at the instruction of Greenwood by Whitelaw to further Nassif's business interests. Whitelaw responded that he was unaware of this at the time and, upon reflection, believes it was "standard factional warfare."
Elliott, who was part of a rival center-right faction, rejected the accusations, stating, "As most of Sydney knows, I'm a devoted husband of 30 years to a beautiful woman who doesn't deserve to be treated like this by the party she has sacrificed so much for." Elliott retired from politics in 2023.
The ICAC's Operation Rosny is investigating alleged illicit political donations and branch-stacking. Expletive-filled phone calls reportedly featuring Nassif vowing to personally target Elliott were played to the commission earlier in the week. The inquiry is also examining allegations related to payments made to the Reformers, a conservative Christian faction within the NSW Liberals, involving figures like federal Liberal leader Angus Taylor.
Nassif, who is believed to be living in Lebanon, is wanted by NSW Police following a two-year fraud investigation. Fifty-seven companies linked to his company, Toplace, are currently in administration. The inquiry is focusing on three central allegations of corrupt conduct, described as a "confluence of personal greed and political ambitions."
Greens Senator David Shoebridge, who had previously criticized Elliott during 2020 budget estimates, expressed dismay at the proceedings, telling AAP, "The more I see of this lot, the less respect I have for them. Instead of trying to make the state better or the nation run better, these Liberals have been busy gathering dirt files to take down their members."
The inquiry is scheduled to resume on Thursday.