Michael O’Hara, Dylan Whitelaw and Robert Assaf first witnesses as investigation begins into NSW Liberal Party’s association with Jean Nassif

First we will hear from Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, Solicitor Assisting the Commission.

Dwyer’s opening statement is expected to last several hours and will outline what the hearing will cover, what the evidence is expected to show and the key actors involved.

One of the names that will come to the fore in the investigation will be illegal real estate developer Jean Nassif. It will be alleged that donations were made by or on behalf of Nassif in exchange for the results he sought, including damaging the career of then-Liberal MP David Elliott and sacking former construction official David Chandler.

But we won’t hear from Nassif; The developer remains holed up in Lebanon.

The hearing will next consider hotelier and lawyer Michael O’Hara, who is the focus of an investigation into allegations of secret donations made in his name to the Liberal Party despite being a banned donor.