ICAC Operation Navarra LIVE updates: Ousted Parramatta Council CEO Gail Connolly appears

The former chief executive of the City of Parramatta council admitted she wrote her friend’s signature on her contract as a witness despite the friend not being in the room, as she broke down in tears less than three hours into giving evidence.

Gail Connolly served as the boss of the large council from April 2023 to September 2025, and is being examined by the Independent Commission Against Corruption over a number of allegations, including that she spied on staff and a councillor, subverted recruitment processes, and misused council information and public funds.

In her first appearance at the inquiry, Connolly was questioned about the flurry of activity that occurred around the time she was negotiating with the City of Parramatta over her salary and position. The commission heard that after the council’s then-lord mayor Donna Davis had offered Connolly a “verbal contract”, other councillors sought to rescind the motion approving her appointment.

There was a “time pressure” to get Connolly’s contract signed before a rescission motion could be brought to the chamber, Counsel Assisting Joanna Davidson, SC, put to Connolly.