MEDIA ALERT: Re-opened public inquiry into allegations concerning John Sidoti MP starts tomorrow

Tuesday 28 September 2021

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) re-opened Operation Witney public inquiry into allegations concerning the State Member for Drummoyne, John Sidoti MP, will start tomorrow Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 10:00 am.

The re-opened public inquiry concerns matters arising from material provided by Mr Sidoti following the close of evidence on 27 April 2021, which he has requested be included as evidence in the Commission’s investigation.

The general scope and purpose of the public inquiry is to gather evidence relevant to the matters being investigated for the purpose of determining the matters referred to in section 13(2) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988. Further details about Operation Witney can be accessed here.

The ICAC is committed to maintaining a COVID-safe work environment. The Commission has decided that, until there is a substantial improvement in the COVID-19 situation in NSW, any public inquiries will, as far as practicable, be conducted remotely by audio visual link (AVL).

Only those whose presence on Commission premises is deemed essential for the effective conduct of the public inquiry will be permitted on-site. Members of the public and the media will therefore not be permitted to attend the premises for the course of the Operation Witney public inquiry. There is further information in the public inquiry protocol on the Commission’s website.

MS Teams is the AVL technology that the Commission will use to conduct the public inquiry remotely. The Commission will live stream the MS Teams proceedings via its website, www.icac.nsw.gov.au. The Commission will also upload exhibits (provided they are not subject to non-publication orders), transcripts and witness lists to the website. Updates will be provided throughout the course of the inquiry via the ICAC Twitter account (@nswicac).

ICAC Chief Commissioner the Hon Peter Hall QC will continue to preside at the public inquiry. Counsel Assisting the Commission is Rob Ranken of Counsel.

A witness list is attached. Please note that witness lists are subject to change. For further information, please refer to the Operation Witney public inquiry media guidelines.

Time:        10:00 am

Date:          Wednesday 29 September 2021

Access:       www.icac.nsw.gov.au (click through to the live stream page from the link at “News and media” which will be available from tomorrow morning on the home page).        


NSW INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION

OPERATION WITNEY PUBLIC INQUIRY

WITNESS LIST

Week beginning Monday 27 September 2021

Please note that this list is subject to change.

Monday 27 September
Not sitting

Tuesday 28 September
Not sitting

Wednesday 29 September
Glen Haron

Thursday 30 September
Lisa Andersen
John Sidoti MP

Friday 1 October
John Sidoti MP (to be confirmed if required)