Overview
- The ICAC public inquiry in May 2026 has presented private texts, emails, photos and witness testimony alleging that a close network of former colleagues coordinated to place friends and allies into City of Parramatta roles.
- Recorded messages include a remark to “stack it with our good people,” a text in which former CEO Gail Connolly offered a niece a council role, and exchanges showing interview questions and résumés were shared ahead of panels.
- Counsel assisting told the inquiry Roxanne Thornton removed formal job requirements, supplied draft position descriptions and provided interview questions to candidates who later sat on panels without declared conflicts.
- The alleged interventions followed appointments in 2023 when Connolly became CEO and Angela Jones-Blayney and Roxanne Thornton joined senior ranks, after which some existing executives were removed or left the organisation.
- Hearings are continuing and the commission’s findings could lead to formal corruption findings, referrals and recommendations to tighten council recruitment and conflict‑of‑interest rules.