Canterbury-Bankstown Council – allegations concerning conduct of former employee, contractor and others (Operation Mantis)

The public hearing in the Operation Mantis public inquiry is complete. The transcripts, exhibits and other information can be accessed at the links below.

The ICAC is investigating allegations concerning the conduct of former a former employee and a contractor of Canterbury-Bankstown Council (“Council”), and others.

The Commission is investigating whether:

1. between May 2020 and December 2022, former Council contractor Pietro Cossu and/or former Council employee Benjamin Webb partially or dishonestly exercised their official functions by using, and/or attempting to use, PMLV Invest & Const Pty Ltd (“PMLV”) to undertake recruitment subcontractor services through council recruitment contractors in circumstances where Mr Cossu, and/or Mr Webb, failed to disclose their pecuniary interest in PMLV, and/or pecuniary benefits that they anticipated receiving in connection with the use of PMLV
   
   
2. between July 2020 and December 2022, Mr Cossu and/or Mr Webb partially or dishonestly exercised their official functions to favour General Works & Construction Pty Ltd (“GWAC”), by attempting to influence the award of council contract/s to GWAC, and/or using, or attempting to use, PMLV to subcontract GWAC council contracts to benefit themselves and/or others.

View the Operation Mantis submissions timetable

Download the Witness Liaison Officer brochure (pdf)

Download the Operation Mantis opening statement (pdf)

Download the Operation Mantis media guidelines (pdf)