Former Bayside mayor Bill Saravinovski is embroiled in serious allegations involving the provision of confidential documents to a property developer. The claims, brought forth by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), assert that Saravinovski misled the commission during its investigations. This marks a significant moment in Saravinovski’s lengthy career as a Labor councillor, which spans over four decades across Rockdale and Bayside councils.
On November 20, 2023, Saravinovski will appear in court to respond to these allegations for the first time. The accusations stem from an ICAC investigation into his conduct and potential breaches of duty as a public official. In August 2022, the commission disclosed that it was examining claims that Saravinovski had shared confidential information with property developers, including an unsolicited development proposal he supported around August 2017.
The case revolves around three specific allegations of providing misleading evidence during his examination by ICAC between September 21 and October 5, 2022. The court documents reveal that each allegation involves property developer Ali Abrahim, who sought to build a car park in Brighton-Le-Sands, a suburb in Sydney’s inner south.
The first allegation claims that Saravinovski told ICAC investigators he did not have “a personal relationship or dealings” with Abrahim as of November 2018. He also allegedly stated that he did not provide Abrahim with “access to confidential documents” on January 25, 2022. The third charge stems from his assertion that the “less than significant non-pecuniary interest” he declared was a full disclosure.
Saravinovski has not publicly commented on the allegations, and his legal representation has also not issued a statement. The ICAC’s inquiry, codenamed Operation Aspen, has yet to move to a public hearing, and the matter was subsequently referred to the Office of Local Government in December 2022. This office determined to pursue allegations of misconduct in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) 15 months later.
Details regarding the NCAT hearings remain largely confidential due to a non-publication order. Despite the lack of public information, the Labor Party made the decision to remove Saravinovski from its electoral ticket for the council elections held in September 2022.
In a ruling released in February 2023, NCAT found Saravinovski guilty of misconduct on three grounds, issuing him a reprimand. Of these, only one—the failure to fully disclose his relationship with Abrahim—related to the ICAC’s allegations. The remaining two grounds pertained to his conduct during council meetings, including aggressive behavior towards staff.
The severity of the allegations carries potential legal repercussions, including the possibility of imprisonment. Notably, Daryl Maguire, a former Liberal MP, received a 10-month jail sentence in late August 2023 for providing misleading evidence to the ICAC in an earlier investigation.
As the court date approaches, the outcome of these allegations against Saravinovski remains uncertain, but they underscore the ongoing scrutiny of public officials by regulatory bodies. The developments in this case will be closely watched by both the public and political observers in New South Wales.
