Australia's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC, New South Wales's anti-corruption watchdog) has questioned former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran over a message from lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood stating "We have something that will kill Elliott" — a reference to then-NSW Liberal minister David Elliott. Maheswaran, who was also a lawyer and later an executive for fugitive property developer Jean Nassif's company Toplace, acknowledged a "common interest" with Greenwood in targeting the Liberal party's Hawke faction but denied the exchange was linked to any political work performed for Nassif. The inquiry is examining whether Liberal operatives Greenwood, Charles Perrottet, and Christian Ellis anticipated receiving $2 million in prohibited donations from Nassif in exchange for political outcomes, including undermining Elliott, who had opposed Toplace development proposals.