09-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
The ICAC blockbuster is back
In NSW, there's no drama quite like an ICAC drama.
At times, it feels as if Sydney is ground zero of corruption in Australia. How much of that perception is down to the Independent Commission Against Corruption's high-profile work, and how much is because our politicians, public servants and institutions may somehow be more prone to corruption? It's hard to tell. But either way, we've had some blockbuster inquiries over the years.
Who can forget the ICAC's landmark investigations into former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid, Ian Macdonald, Joe Tripodi and Tony Kelly? Or the bottle of Grange that forced Barry O'Farrell to resign as premier? Or Operation Keppel, the inquiry into former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, which ended the political career of Gladys Berejiklian? And let's not forget the sex-for-development scandal at Wollongong City Council.
However, a major inquiry is now under way into school infrastructure, and an even bigger one looms on the horizon involving the Hills Shire Council, the NSW Liberal Party and several property developers.
Education reporter Christopher Harris and state political reporter Michael McGowan have done a terrific job this week covering public hearings into allegations the former head of the NSW Department of Education's school building unit intentionally subverted recruitment practices to benefit friends and business associates, and improperly awarded contracts to friends and business associates.
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Anthony Manning, who headed the department's school infrastructure unit from 2017 until last year, is the subject of the probe but others are in the ICAC's sights, too.
In one example of alleged misconduct, counsel assisting Jamie Darams outlined the long relationship between Manning and a former colleague, Stuart Suthern-Brunt, whom Manning had met while they worked together in health infrastructure.
'They also went cycling together as frequently as every week, and later went to spin classes and yoga together. They met up regularly for coffees, breakfast, lunch, dinners and drinks, including with their partners. Mr Suthern-Brunt invited Mr Manning to his daughter's 21st birthday party.'
