NSW ICAC MEDIA ALERT: Public inquiry into corruption allegation concerning former RMS employees resumes Monday

Thursday 2 December 2021

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) Operation Paragon public inquiry into concerning former Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) employees Alexandre Dubois and Craig Steyn will resume next Monday, 6 December 2021 at 10:00 am.

The public inquiry adjourned on 23 June 2021 due to then COVID-19 public health orders. The investigation is examining an allegation that, between 2009 and June 2019, Mr Dubois and Mr Steyn partially and/or dishonestly exercised their official functions by awarding in excess of $41 million in RMS contracts, to companies with which they were associated, in exchange for receiving benefits.

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.

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. 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 Paragon public inquiry. There is further information in the public inquiry protocol on the Commission’s website, and the Operation Paragon media guidelines.

The Commission will live stream the proceedings on MS Teams, 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 is presiding at the public inquiry. Counsel Assisting the Commission are Jason Downing SC and Caroline Spruce of Counsel. It is expected that the public inquiry will proceed for approximately one week, but may continue for the day of Tuesday 14 December. A witness list for next week is attached. Please note that witness lists are subject to change.

Time:        10:00 am

Date:         Monday 6 December 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 c. 9.45am Monday on the home page).        



NSW INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION

OPERATION PARAGON PUBLIC INQUIRY

WITNESS LIST

Week beginning Monday 6 December 2021


Please note that this list is subject to change.

Monday 6 December 2021
Samer Soliman
Ahmed Alameddine

Tuesday 7 December 2021
Ahmed Alameddine
Alexandre Dubois

Wednesday 8 December 2021
Alexandre Dubois

Thursday 9 December 2021
Craig Steyn

Friday 10 December 2021
Not sitting