A highly touted school construction project worth nearly $40 million with promises to build and upgrade more than 100 schools and pre-schools around Australia's biggest state is being scrutinised over corruption allegations.
The NSW Independent Commission against Corruption is launching a six-week public inquiry on May 5 investigating accusations of corrupt conduct by former School Infrastructure NSW chief executive Anthony Manning and associated agency officials as well as contractors.
The NSW government billed the three-year $39 million construction bonanza in February 2024 as a game-changer that would bring "savings of up to 20 per cent and slash construction time by up to 30 per cent".
Cutting-edge construction methods such as assembling prefabricated classrooms were extolled as helping the state build more than 30 schools in high-growth areas in Sydney and 100 public preschools across the state.
It was also slated to target rebuilding northern NSW schools, which were significantly damaged by floods.
But six months later, the government terminated the contract with The APP Group, a property and infrastructure firm.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car told a budget estimates hearing in August 2024 the contract had been terminated on "commercial grounds."
When pressed by Coalition education spokesperson Sarah Mitchell on the infrastructure project and about Mr Manning, Ms Car remain tight-lipped.
"I actually am not going to jeopardise any investigation that may or may not be happening," she said.
The corruption commission's Operation Landan will examine alleged shoddy recruitment practices, improper awarding of contracts and misappropriation of funds all to favour particular associates and businesses.
It will also investigate how Mr Manning and human resources adviser Wendy O'Brien allegedly abused their power by taking reprisal actions against certain staff following complaints or public interest disclosures at the infrastructure agency.
Commissioner Paul Lakatos SC will preside over the inquiry.
