Former Bayside Mayor Bill Saravinovski stands accused of providing confidential council documents to a property developer, as alleged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). This marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Saravinovski’s conduct during his lengthy tenure as a Labor councillor spanning four decades across Rockdale and Bayside councils.
On November 20, 2023, Saravinovski appeared in the local court located in the John Maddison Tower to face allegations of giving misleading evidence to the state’s corruption watchdog. The charges stem from an ICAC investigation that began in August 2022, focusing on claims that he breached his responsibilities as a public official by sharing sensitive information with property developers, including a proposal from Ali Abrahim, who sought to construct a car park in Brighton-Le-Sands.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Aspen, did not advance to a public inquiry. Instead, the ICAC opted to pursue criminal charges concerning three instances where Saravinovski allegedly provided false testimony between September 21 and October 5, 2022. Court documents indicate that Saravinovski denied having a personal relationship or any dealings with Abrahim as of November 2018, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. He also allegedly claimed that he had not granted Abrahim access to confidential documents on January 25, 2022, and that he fully disclosed a “less than significant non-pecuniary interest” in relation to the proposed development.
Following the ICAC’s findings, Saravinovski’s case was referred to the Office of Local Government in December 2022. This referral led to the pursuit of allegations of misconduct in the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) 15 months later. The NCAT proceedings were shrouded in secrecy due to a non-publication order, limiting the information available to the public.
Despite the lack of transparency, the Labor Party decided to remove Saravinovski from its candidate list for the council elections held in September 2022. In a judgment released in February 2023, he was found guilty of misconduct on three counts and received a reprimand. Notably, only one of these counts—his failure to fully disclose his relationship with Abrahim—was directly related to the ICAC’s charges. The other allegations pertained to his conduct during council meetings, which included instances of yelling at staff and accidentally knocking over a water bottle.
The serious nature of the allegations could result in significant legal consequences, including potential jail time. This situation draws parallels to that of Daryl Maguire, a former Liberal MP, who received a 10-month jail sentence in late August for giving misleading evidence during an earlier ICAC investigation.
As the case unfolds, Saravinovski remains under scrutiny, with the next legal proceedings expected on November 20. The outcome could have lasting implications for his career and the broader political landscape in New South Wales.
