ICAC hears details of smear campaign against NSW building commissioner

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has heard details regarding an alleged smear campaign targeting former New South Wales building commissioner David Chandler. The inquiry, known as Operation Rosny, suggests a coordinated effort to undermine Chandler to prevent him from regulating substandard building projects associated with the development firm Toplace.

Evidence presented to the commission included claims that false allegations were circulated, such as Chandler accepting cash in brown paper bags or receiving illicit bank deposits. Testimony from Cassandra Lawry, a former chief of staff to the fair trading minister, detailed a 2022 meeting where a video of Chandler was presented with the suggestion that it could be used to ‘get rid of him.’

The investigation has expanded to include allegations of a $2 million bribe from Nassif to several Liberal Party operatives. This follows previous evidence from intercepted phone calls in which Nassif reportedly claimed he was promised Chandler’s removal from his regulatory role.