Parramatta Council executive denies drafting own job description

A City of Parramatta Council executive accused of corruption as part of the self-proclaimed Pink Ladies group has denied she drafted up her own job description before she interviewed for the role.

Roxanne Thornton gave evidence on Friday during the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry into allegations she and other employees subverted hiring practices to fill job vacancies with friends.

Within months of entering the job in 2023, former chief executive Gail Connolly brought in two former colleagues to high-paying executive roles — Ms Thornton as chief governance and risk officer and Angela Jones-Blayney as executive director of city engagement.

On Friday, the commission showed text messages between Ms Thornton and Ms Connolly, while Ms Thornton was employed with the City of Bankstown-Canterbury Council.

The commission previously heard the pair struck up a friendship working together at the City of Ryde and George River councils and had dubbed themselves the pink ladies, who ran the online group "Pink Ops".

While giving evidence, Ms Thornton was provided messages showing her drafting a restructure of the City of Parramatta's leadership team.

"And was it so that the roles could be structured for a role for you to fill?" counsel assisting the inquiry Joanna Davidson SC asked.

"I don't know if it was a specific as that," Ms Thornton replied.

The commission was shown a photo from Ms Thornton, that was sent to Ms Connolly, featuring a handwritten post-it note detailing her salary and entitlements at Bankstown-Canterbury Council.

When asked why she shared her salary via a photograph, Ms Thornton replied: "I think because I was too lazy to type it."

Ms Thornton went on to explain the image was sent because she wanted to show her expectations if a temporary appointment were to become available, as she did not want to go backwards in pay.

In July, Ms Connolly shared a draft copy of a position description for the role of chief governance and risk officer. She was also sent a copy of the council's executive support organisation chart.

Ms Thornton was later offered a role with a $40,000 pay increase compared to what she was earning at the City of Bankstown-Canterbury Council.

In follow up text messages, Ms Connolly wrote: "Hopefully by the end of this week I will have two pink ladies about to come on board at Parra!"

Ms Thornton replied: "I'm counting down the days!"

Ms Thornton confirmed to the commission that two weeks later she attended a celebratory lunch with Ms Connolly and Ms Jones-Blayney — a "Pink Ops" member — at the Ruse Bar and Brasserie in Parramatta.

"I think I may have already been there that day for something unrelated and we had reached out to Gail to see if she was around, and she joined us," Ms Thornton said.

When asked about whether it was in recognition of hers and Ms Jones-Blayney's mutual appointments, Ms Thornton replied: "Yes."

The three women are alleged to have abused their roles to subvert hiring practices, making it easier for their friends and associates to secure work at the council, including by failing to disclose their relationships to the candidates.

Many of the people hired — though not all of them — were part of a WhatsApp group titled "Pink Ops", a play on term of "Black Ops".

In a statement to the ABC last month, Ms Connolly said: "I maintain I have not acted inappropriately.

"I welcome the opportunity to detail the facts before the commission and clear my name."

Hiring practices examined

Brendan Clifton, the chief people and culture officer at City of Parramatta Council, earlier this week told the commission Ms Connolly's involvement in hiring her niece to council was a "shit decision".

Counsel assisting presented evidence Ms Connolly had sent her niece's resume and cover letter to Mr Clifton attached in a text message.

When asked if he advised Ms Connolly there was a conflict of interest, she allegedly told him that she would not be involved in the recruitment process.

The commission was presented with an exhibit showcasing a conflict-of-interest declaration form filled by Ms Connolly and signed by Mr Clifton stating he would have oversight of the hiring process of her niece Leah Senkowski.

Mr Clifton had said he did not think he was responsible.

The public hearings will continue.