NSW ICAC probe uncovers factional dirt sheet targeting former police minister David Elliott
On July 29, 2026, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) heard testimony from Dylan Whitelaw, a former Catholic Schools NSW employee and member of the Reformers faction. He said a "shit sheet" alleging an extramarital affair by former police minister David Elliott was prepared by Liberal operatives to further the interests of fugitive developer Jean Nassif.
Whitelaw also described a coordinated effort to damage building commissioner David Chandler, including a video accusing him of racism and linking him to a list of certifiers and developers. The video was allegedly pushed by former chief of staff Chris Spence, who wanted then‑fair‑trading minister Eleni Petinos to raise it during a budget estimates hearing.
Whitelaw characterised the actions as "standard factional warfare." The investigation forms part of Operation Rosny, which is examining alleged illicit political donations and branch‑stacking within the NSW Liberal Party. Former minister Elliott retired in 2023 after his seat was abolished.
Entities: Chris Spence · David Chandler · David Elliott · Dylan Whitelaw · Jean Nassif
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A video accusing building commissioner David Chandler of racism and linking him to a list of certifiers and developers was circulated by senior ministerial staff. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810, 9d8fefcd-e3ec-4a74-acf3-bc5d3aa0b6fb, a14aeb0e-2b07-4ef4-8ed3-391fb11534b5)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dylan Whitelaw testified before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption about the creation of the dirt sheet. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810, 9d8fefcd-e3ec-4a74-acf3-bc5d3aa0b6fb, a14aeb0e-2b07-4ef4-8ed3-391fb11534b5)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A dirt sheet alleging an extramarital affair by former police minister David Elliott was prepared by members of the NSW Liberal Reformers faction. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810, 9d8fefcd-e3ec-4a74-acf3-bc5d3aa0b6fb, a14aeb0e-2b07-4ef4-8ed3-391fb11534b5)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Chris Spence, former chief of staff to then‑planning minister Anthony Roberts, sought to have Eleni Petinos raise the video in a budget estimates hearing. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810, 9d8fefcd-e3ec-4a74-acf3-bc5d3aa0b6fb, a14aeb0e-2b07-4ef4-8ed3-391fb11534b5)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] David Elliott retired from politics in 2023 after his seat was abolished. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Whitelaw described the actions as standard factional warfare. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810, 9d8fefcd-e3ec-4a74-acf3-bc5d3aa0b6fb, a14aeb0e-2b07-4ef4-8ed3-391fb11534b5)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The dirt sheet was intended to further the interests of fugitive Sydney developer Jean Nassif. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810, 9d8fefcd-e3ec-4a74-acf3-bc5d3aa0b6fb, a14aeb0e-2b07-4ef4-8ed3-391fb11534b5)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ICAC investigation is part of Operation Rosny, which probes alleged illicit political donations and branch‑stacking within the NSW Liberal Party. (b9fc7d34-c2ed-4b49-9001-fccd1716b810)