ICAC Inquiry: Parramatta Council's Power Struggle

0:00It's April 20th, Sydney News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. The Independent Commission Against Corruption is launching a public inquiry next month into fired city of Paramata CEO Gail Connolly and a few top execs. They're probing if she twisted council processes, spied on staff and a counselor using council tech for personal gain or payback and fired people. This honestly, meanwhile, the spotlight's also on execs like Angela Jones Blaney and Roxanne Thornton for rigging hires and promotions to hook up friends, plus, misusing public cash on hush deals and leaking secrets to outsiders. Back in March, the local government minister called out the council for a toxic culture where beer crats overpowered elected officials. Connolly got the boot in October 2025, right after ICC raids hit their offices in July, gnatching phones from senior staff. Operation Navarra has been grinding on since those raids, and now the hearings kick off May 11th for four weeks straight.

1:02This could shake up how councils run down under, exposing cracks and trust and power. Stay tuned as the testimony drops.