City of Parramatta Council Official Admits to Subverting Hiring Processes

A senior City of Parramatta Council official has told a corruption watchdog inquiry she edited job applications and showed interview questions to two friends to help them secure jobs.

During her third day on the witness stand, Roxanne Thornton told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) she was responsible for hiring processes that were "extremely flawed based off of my interference".

Ms Thornton, who served as chief governance and risk officer for the council, located in Western Sydney, said she reviewed and edited friend Anna Svorinic's cover letter and resume for the role of executive officer to the CEO.

Counsel Assisting Joanna Davidson SC showed the inquiry an email containing the interview questions and model answers sent from Ms Thornton's personal email address to Ms Svorinic.

In addition to providing Ms Svorinic with the interview questions, answers, resume and cover letter, she also made an exception for her application to be accepted despite the deadline for applying having passed.

She also had the tertiary education requirement for the role removed, knowing it would be the only way to ensure Ms Svorinic's eligibility, the ICAC was told.

When asked by the chief commissioner if her actions aligned with her role at the council, Ms Thornton responded: "I didn't think it was aligned to my position.

She added her motivations came from a general distrust for people, admitting it was a "significant flaw".

Ms Thornton said she "didn't put any mind or thought to it" and later added, "I was very aware what I was doing was untoward".

Friendships extended beyond work

The ICAC heard she also sat on the interview panel with colleagues Ben Crawford and Angela Jones-Blayney, but said they were not aware of her actions.

She said the hiring processes were so flawed they were unknowingly participating in a charade.

"I didn't want to compromise Mr Crawford or Ms Jones-Blayney in my undermining of the process," she said.

Ms Svorinic and Ms Thornton had previously worked together at Georges River Council in Sydney's south.

Ms Thornton told the commission her relationship with Ms Svorinic extended beyond work, as they attended each other's birthday celebrations.

She also said she wrote a cover letter and provided interview information for another former associate, Sue Matthews, who was applying for the same role.

Ms Matthews later withdrew her application for personal reasons.

Ms Thornton, former CEO Gail Connolly and previous executive director of city engagement Ms Jones-Blayney, are accused of subverting hiring practices to benefit their friends.