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City of Parramatta Council

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ICAC is investigating Gail Connolly, Roxanne Thornton and Angela Jones-Blayney.

As Parramatta ICAC inquiry hears of alleged corrupt conduct, councillors debate its severity

“There are different levels of corruption”, one councillor told her colleagues about the allegations aired at the ICAC.

  • Anthony Segaert

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Leah Senkowski arrives at the Independent Commssion Against Corruption offices on Wednesday.

‘Want to work with my team at Parra?’ Former CEO’s message to niece revealed at ICAC

The ICAC heard Gail Connolly, former Parramatta council chief, offered her niece a job as personal assistant to the mayor over text message.

  • Anthony Segaert
Roxanne Thornton breaks down before the lunch break during her fourth day at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Operation Navarra into Parramatta Council. 

Parramatta ICAC target breaks down, lashes out at ‘public shaming’

Roxanne Thornton had appeared at the inquiry over four days. The final 30 minutes of her evidence led to a teary outburst.

  • Anthony Segaert
SMH use only. Roxanne Thornton arrives at ICAC in Sydney. 25 May 2026 Photo: Janie Barrett

‘I thought I wasn’t going to get caught’: Council staffer’s recruitment charade revealed to ICAC

Roxanne Thornton told the ICAC she helped her friends get jobs at the council by editing their CVs and sending interview questions in advance.

  • Anthony Segaert
Roxanne Thornton arrives at the ICAC on Friday for a second day of evidence.

‘Let the games begin’: Hundreds of texts reveal how Parramatta’s Pink Ladies got each other jobs, ICAC hears

Messages between the three women denigrated other staffers and contained promises of new roles and a plan to make one senior worker redundant.

  • Anthony Segaert
Roxanne Thornton arrives at the Independent Commission Against Corruption on Thursday.

Origins of ‘Pink Ops’ revealed: Friendship covered eight years and three councils, ICAC hears

High-ranking Parramatta staffer Roxanne Thornton told an anti-corruption inquiry she and ex-CEO Gail Connolly were foundation members of the friendship group.

  • Anthony Segaert
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Roxanne Thornton.

Council manager told colleague she used AI for company director course assignment, ICAC hears

Roxanne Thornton is due to appear as a witness at the inquiry on Thursday.

  • Anthony Segaert and Ellie Busby
Ryan Coffey, representing Gail Connolly, arrives back at the ICAC offices in Sydney’s CBD.

Council exec created job filled by unqualified former colleague, ICAC hears

The corruption watchdog has heard allegations a senior Parramatta council executive created a position that was filled by a former colleague.

  • Anthony Segaert
p5o02v. Emily Hurry, with her daughter Eliza and partner Oliver ke Duan on the balcony of their Wentworth Point apartment, with construction work on the new Melrose Park light rail stop visible in the background. They moved to Wentworth Point on the promise of Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail connecting the dense suburb to the rest of Sydney via the new Metro. But now the government has halved its project and has put no timeline on the final completion date. Saturday 7th February 2026. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

These Sydneysiders bought their apartment with the promise of a light rail. They’re still waiting

Emily Hurry describes herself as a believer in Sydney’s high-rise future, but she’s frustrated by the lack of infrastructure the government promised to build.

  • Anthony Segaert
The Somerset Apartments in Carlingford are built by Dyldam.

The trail of destruction left by two of Sydney’s most infamous property figures

It is a double whammy for this Sydney apartment block, which was built by one of the most notorious property developers, and managed by one of the city’s worst strata managers.

  • Anthony Segaert