Overview
- Roxanne Thornton told the Independent Commission Against Corruption that she rewrote cover letters and CVs, sent interview questions and model answers from her personal email, and sat on panels without disclosing her interference.
- The commission heard Thornton arranged a late application and had a tertiary-education requirement removed so Anna Svorinic could be eligible for the executive officer to the CEO role.
- ICAC presented documentary evidence including text messages and emails and a revised CV timestamped 13 December 2023 to show direct coordination between Thornton and applicants.
- Thornton said she acted out of loyalty and distrust of others, told the commission “I thought I wasn't going to get caught,” and became emotional on the stand as she acknowledged she expected to lose her job.
- Operation Navarra remains an active public inquiry with further witnesses to be heard and could lead to formal findings or referrals that affect senior Parramatta council leaders and its hiring practices.