NSW Treasurer Mookhey Sends Builder's Lawyer Claims to ICAC After Meeting

During a cafe meeting near NSW Parliament in October 2021, Daniel Mookhey, then the opposition’s shadow treasurer, was approached by Sharangan Maheswaran, a Labor lawyer for developer Jean Nassif. Maheswaran alleged that building commissioner David Chandler had harassed Nassif’s projects with extra inspections and defect notices, prompting defamation actions against a radio station. Mookhey told Maheswaran not to raise the issue in the upcoming budget estimates hearing and instead refer it to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The next day Mookhey formally referred the matter to ICAC and later submitted a written statement. ICAC investigators heard that Nassif had sent a video of Chandler on a job site, which Maheswaran suggested could be used to damage the commissioner. Chandler is not accused of wrongdoing, but the inquiry is examining whether Nassif attempted to undermine him.