Tudehope says key Reformer Jean-Claude Perrottet had ‘a talent’ for party recruitment

Damien Tudehope, a senior figure in the New South Wales Liberal Party, has admitted during a corruption investigation that he allowed a Liberal operative, Jean-Claude Perrottet, to remain employed in his office despite concerns about the man's activities. The admission came during testimony before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on August 4, 2026, as part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged illegal donations and internal factional conflicts within the party. Tudehope, who has temporarily stepped down from the Liberal leadership team while the probe continues, described Perrottet as someone with a particular aptitude for maintaining and growing Liberal Party membership. Tudehope testified that he believed keeping branch memberships robust was essential for the political longevity of MPs. He confirmed that Perrottet, the youngest son of former Premier Dominic Perrottet, had worked in his ministerial and parliamentary office. Tudehope noted that Perrottet had a knack for engaging members and encouraging them to renew their subscriptions. However, he did not elaborate on whether he knew of any specific activities or intentions behind Perrottet’s role. The ICAC inquiry has focused heavily on the Reformers, a conservative faction within the Liberal Party associated with religious and ideological rigidity. During the hearing, retired Sydney businessman Frits Mare, a former Liberal member, recounted being approached by Reformers members Christian Ellis and Jean-Claude Perrottet to contribute $50,000 toward setting up a call center aimed at boosting Liberal Party membership in key electoral areas. The goal, according to Mare, was to increase the number of registered voters in order to challenge sitting federal MP Alex Hawke, a known adversary of the Reformers. Mare told the commission that he was hesitant to commit to the request, noting that such large sums were unusual for voluntary recruitment efforts. He questioned whether a formal budget had been prepared for the proposed operation. Ellis reportedly did not have a detailed financial plan, stating instead that the funds would cover staffing costs. Mare ultimately declined to provide the requested money, citing his lack of interest in becoming entangled in factional disputes. During the hearing, the commission reviewed several communications between Mare and Perrottet, including multiple unsolicited text messages and unanswered phone calls. Mare emphasized that these interactions were largely one-sided, with Perrottet initiating contact frequently. He reiterated that he had no desire to engage further with the Reformers' agenda. The inquiry has also delved into the personal relationships between Tudehope and the Perrottet family. Counsel assisting the commission, Dr. Peggy Dwyer, SC, asked Tudehope directly if he had maintained a long-standing friendship with former Premier Dominic Perrottet. Tudehope affirmed that he had known Perrottet throughout his life and mentioned that one of his sons was friends with another Perrottet sibling, Charles. This connection appears to have played a role in Perrottet’s employment under Tudehope’s office. Tudehope, who is not facing direct accusations of wrongdoing in the current probe, stressed that he had always prioritized the strength of Liberal Party branches. His comments suggest that he viewed Perrottet’s ability to mobilize members as a strategic asset, even if the broader implications of his involvement remain unclear. The ICAC hearing continued with testimonies from other individuals connected to the Reformers and their influence within the Liberal Party. The focus remains on uncovering whether illegal funding or coordinated efforts were used to manipulate electoral outcomes through membership drives. As the inquiry progresses, more details about the extent of the Reformers’ influence and potential breaches of campaign finance laws are likely to emerge.