The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has announced that it will hold a public inquiry next month as part of an investigation into allegations concerning City of Parramatta Council former CEO, Gail Connolly, council employees Angela Jones-Blayney and Roxanne Thornton and other Council staff.
The Commission is investigating whether Ms Connolly and other City of Parramatta Council staff partially exercised their official functions since April 2023 by:
- intentionally subverting proper processes, and misusing council systems and information, to conduct targeted electronic surveillance and conduct investigations on staff and a councillor for personal advantage or in order to benefit friends and associates and/or for reprisal action;
- terminating staff in circumstances that constituted a partial and/or dishonest exercise of their public official functions, for reprisal action or personal advantage or in order to benefit friends and associates.
The Commission is further investigating whether Ms Connolly, Ms Jones-Blayney, Ms Thornton and other City of Parramatta Council staff partially exercised their official functions by intentionally subverting recruitment and promotion processes in order to benefit friends and associates.
Finally, the Commission is investigating whether Ms Connolly and other City of Parramatta Council staff engaged in conduct that constitutes a breach of public trust by:
- misusing public funds to facilitate the exit of City of Parramatta Council staff through deeds of release for personal advantage or to benefit others;
- misusing council information acquired in the course of their official functions by disclosing confidential information to third parties for personal advantage.
Chief Commissioner, John Hatzistergos AM will preside at the public inquiry.
City of Parramatta Council responded to today’s announcement with a brief statement, saying: “As there is an active and ongoing inquiry underway, City of Parramatta Council will not be making any further comments in relation to the matter during this time. Council remains focused on delivering on our commitments to the community and making Parramatta the best place to live, work and play.”
At an Ordinary meeting on 13 October last year, Council resolved to terminate Ms Connolly, effective immediately. Nine councillors voted in favour, while three voted against the move and three abstained from voting.
The public inquiry will begin on Monday 11 May at the ICAC Hearing Room, Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney and is expected to take four weeks.
Members of the media and the public may view the proceedings on the Commission’s premises, or via the live stream on the ICAC website.
