Georges River Council/Hurstville City Council – allegations concerning former Councillors and others (Operation Galley)
Year: 2022
Status: Current
The public inquiry in this matter is complete. See below for transcripts, exhibits, the submissions timetable and other information.
The ICAC is investigating whether, between 2014 and 2021, then Hurstville City Council (HCC) and later Georges River Council (GRC) Councillors Constantine Hindi and Vincenzo (Vince) Badalati, and then HCC Councillor Philip Sansom, sought and/or accepted benefits as an inducement or reward for partially and dishonestly exercising their official functions to favour the interests of Ching Wah (Philip) Uy, Wensheng Liu and Yuqing Liu, in relation to planning matters affecting 1-5 Treacy Street, and 1 Hill Road, Hurstville (“the Treacy Street development”); and 53-57 Forest Road, 108-126 Durham Street and 9 Roberts Lane, Hurstville (“the Landmark Square development”). The Commission is also examining whether, during that period, Councillors Hindi, Badalati and Sansom deliberately failed to declare or properly manage any conflict of interest arising from their relationships with Mr Uy, Wensheng Liu and Yuqing Liu.
The Commission is further investigating whether, also between 2014 and 2021, Mr Uy, Wensheng Liu and Yuqing Liu provided benefits, including overseas flights and accommodation, to Councillors Hindi, Badalati and Sansom, as a reward or inducement to favour their interests in relation to Council decisions regarding planning matters affecting the Treacy Street and Landmark Square developments.
On 22 June 2022, the Commission added a further allegation that, between 16 November 2011 and 9 July 2012, Mr Uy corruptly gave $10,000 cash to then HCC Councillor Hindi, as a reward or inducement for Councillor Hindi to partially and dishonestly exercise his official functions to favour the interests of Mr Uy and Wensheng Liu in relation to land bounded by Gloucester Road, Carrington Avenue and Garthons Lane, Hurstville (“the Gloucester Road car park development”).
View the Operation Galley submissions timetable
Download the Operation Galley opening statement (PDF)
Download the Operation Galley opening images (PDF)
Download the public inquiry Covid-19 protocol (PDF)
Download the Operation Galley Media Guidelines (PDF)
Media Releases
Witness
Download the witness list
Transcripts
View all public inquiry transcripts associated with this investigation. The Commission will endeavour to make transcripts available as soon as practicable. It cannot advise specific times for when transcripts will be published, due to factors including checking procedures to ensure compliance with any non-publication orders made under the ICAC Act. Users are also reminded that they may follow the proceedings in real time if a public inquiry is being live streamed.
Exhibits
Public notices