Sydney, 3 September 2025 – The Public Inquiry into Liverpool City Council roared into its 26th day with a gripping session that started at 10:10 AM, exposing the inner workings of local governance under intense scrutiny. The spotlight was on Councillor Fiona Macnaught, a Liberal Party member elected in December 2021, as she took the stand to reveal her journey from community activist to key council figure. Led by Senior Counsel Assisting, Ms T McDonald SC, the testimony delved into political tickets, community battles, and pivotal council decisions that could shake ratepayers’ trust. Here’s the explosive breakdown of what unfolded and why it matters to every Liverpool resident!
Who Was Testifying?
- Councillor Fiona Macnaught: A current member of Liverpool City Council, elected on the Liberal Party ticket in December 2021 alongside Mayor Ned Mannoun. With a decade-long affiliation with the Liberal Party (since around 2015) and a history of running for council in 2016, Macnaught brought a mix of political savvy and community roots to the stand. Her testimony offered a rare glimpse into the personal and political dynamics shaping the Council during a tumultuous period.
What Was It About? Key Revelations and Drama
Day 26 wasn’t just a routine hearing—it was a deep dive into power, loyalty, and unresolved community struggles. Here are the major themes from Macnaught’s testimony:
- Political Beginnings and Liberal Party Ties: Macnaught detailed her election in December 2021, delayed by COVID, as part of a successful Liberal Party ticket that included Mayor Ned Mannoun and other councillors like Richard Ammoun, Mazhar Hadid, and Mel Goodman. Operating from a temporary campaign office in Liverpool with team member Matthew Harte, her story painted a picture of a tightly knit political machine. The inquiry probed how these affiliations shaped her role—did party loyalty trump community needs?
- Community Roots with the Moorebank Residents Action Group: Before politics, Macnaught was a fierce advocate in the Moorebank Residents Action Group since around 2010, fighting a still-unresolved battle against a concrete recycling facility near the Georges Fair estate. She engaged with councillors and mayors but not staff, showing her grassroots drive. She admitted stepping back from the group after her election.
- First Council Meeting Bombshell – CEO Termination: The testimony teased a critical moment at the first council meeting on 2 February 2022, where a mayoral minute led to the termination of then-CEO Dr Jackson. Macnaught recalled limited prior interaction with him, including a brief chat at the Western Sydney Airport site, but the sudden move to oust him raises eyebrows. Was this a calculated power play by the new Liberal-led Council right after taking office?
- Induction and Governance Prep: Macnaught described attending an induction at Casula Powerhouse (exact date unclear but likely before the first meeting), covering essentials like the code of meeting practice. Oaths of office were taken on 27 January 2022, marking her official start. But were new councillors truly prepared for the high-stakes decisions, like firing a CEO, so early in their term?
Highlights for Residents: What You Need to Know!
Liverpool ratepayers, pay attention—these revelations hit close to home and could affect how your rates are managed and who’s really calling the shots:
- 🚨 CEO Termination Shock – Transparency at Risk!
The abrupt decision to terminate Dr Jackson at the very first meeting of the new Council in February 2022 sent shock waves through Liverpool.. Residents deserve to know why such a pivotal role was axed so quickly—did political agendas override performance reviews? This matters because the CEO drives Council operations; a rushed dismissal could disrupt services and strategic planning, directly impacting how your ratepayer funds are used. Was this a power grab by the Liberal majority? - 🏘️ Community Fight Abandoned? Unresolved Moorebank Issue!
Macnaught’s long fight against the concrete recycling facility near Georges Fair—affecting a thousand lots—remains unresolved after over a decade. Residents in Moorebank will be furious to hear she’s stepped back from the action group since becoming a councillor. Does her election mean less advocacy for your local concerns? Ratepayers fund Council to solve community issues, not sideline them. - 🗳️ Political Influence Over Community Good?
Elected on a Liberal ticket with Mayor Mannoun, Macnaught’s close ties to party politics raise red flags. Residents should question if party loyalty influences Council votes over what’s best for Liverpool. was her election more about political strategy than ratepayer representation? Your rates fund Council decisions—shouldn’t they be free from party bias?
Broader Implications: A Council Under Fire
Day 26’s testimony isn’t just about one councillor—it’s a window into a Council rocked by early controversies and lingering community grievances. From the mysterious CEO termination to questions of political influence, the inquiry is peeling back layers of secrecy that could redefine trust in local governance. Macnaught’s shift from activist to councillor, while stepping away from grassroots battles, hints at a disconnect that ratepayers can’t ignore. As the inquiry marches on under Section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), will more bombshells drop about how Liverpool City Council really operates?
