Parramatta Council Executive Admits Job Rigging at ICAC Hearing, May 27

Roxanne Thornton, group manager at City of Parramatta Council, admitted to the NSW corruption watchdog that she systematically rigged the recruitment process to hire friends and associates. Over four days of questioning, she confessed to sending interview questions and answers in advance, editing CVs and cover letters, and even adjusting salary offers. On Tuesday, she broke down in tears when confronted about her conduct, saying she was being publicly shamed.

How the Scheme Worked

Thornton sent preferred candidates interview questions and model answers before their interviews. She edited CVs and cover letters for friends and removed qualification requirements from job descriptions. In one case, she ensured a salary bump in an offer letter after a candidate succeeded in the interview. Thornton said she recruited people she already knew because of her personal difficulty trusting others. She told the ICAC on Monday that her inability to trust people motivated her to hire those she had worked with before.

The ‘Pink Ladies’ Network

Thornton and others were part of a group called the “Pink Ladies,” a network of women who had previously worked together at several Sydney councils. Thornton was hired as chief governance and risk officer at City of Parramatta Council shortly after former CEO Gail Connolly took the top job. By February 2024, Thornton had moved into the more senior role of group manager, Office of the Lord Mayor and CEO. She repeatedly told the commission that Connolly was unaware of her hiring practices.

Emotional Breakdown and Admissions

When Arthur Moses SC, the lawyer representing Parramatta council, asked if she accepted her personal difficulty trusting people was not an excuse for breaching her obligations, Thornton sobbed and said “Yes.” She then lashed out, saying “You just keep kicking me. I know I’m gonna lose my job. I’ve done the wrong thing.” She admitted she knew her actions were untoward and did it because she thought she would not get caught.

Impact on Other Council Staff

Council colleagues John Crawford and Angela Jones-Blayney sat with Thornton on interview panels but were unaware of her actions. Thornton said she did not want to compromise them by involving them in her undermining of the process. The recruitment process was compromised at multiple levels, affecting the fairness of hiring decisions for dozens of council positions. Thornton is currently on paid leave as group manager.

Final Thoughts

Thornton’s admissions expose serious governance failures at Parramatta Council and raise concerns about public sector hiring practices across Sydney. The ICAC inquiry remains ongoing, with potential consequences for other council executives under investigation.

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