What to expect when ICAC opens its University of Wollongong inquiry
A guide to Operation Scandi: what it is, how it works, and what the next three weeks will look like
On June 22 at 10am, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption will open the doors: literally and via livestream.
Operation Scandi, ICAC’s investigation into allegations concerning the University of Wollongong, will hold three weeks of public hearings at Level 7, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, running from June 22 to July 10, 2026.
Before the first witness is sworn, this is what you need to know.
What is ICAC investigating?
ICAC has identified three distinct lines of inquiry in Operation Scandi.
The first concerns governance recruitment.
The Commission is investigating whether Chief Governance Officer and Secretary Alyssa White, or other UOW staff, partially exercised their official functions by intentionally subverting recruitment processes for governance roles in order to benefit people associated with her.
The second concerns consulting contracts.
ICAC is examining whether Chancellor Michael Still, White, or other UOW staff or contractors improperly awarded - or influenced the awarding of - consulting work to Aspirall Consulting International Pty Ltd.
The third concerns conflict of interest.
The Commission will investigate whether Still, or other UOW staff or contractors, failed to properly manage the conflict of interest created by the appointment of Professor John Dewar as interim Vice-Chancellor while Dewar remained a partner at consulting firm KordaMentha, which was subsequently engaged by the university for more than $3.8 million worth of work.
It is important to note that ICAC has made no findings against any person or organisation. All matters remain allegations under investigation.
What does a public inquiry actually do?
ICAC is not a court. It neither convicts nor acquits. Its role is to gather evidence: through sworn testimony, tendered documents and examination by Counsel Assisting to determine whether corrupt conduct has occurred as defined under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.
If ICAC finds corrupt conduct has occurred, it can make findings and may refer evidence to prosecuting authorities including the DPP. It does not itself prosecute. What happens after that is a separate legal process.
Public inquiries also serve to put the evidence on the record, in public, where it can be examined. Transcripts are published on the ICAC website generally within 24 hours of each day’s proceedings.
The inquiry will be presided over by Commissioner Paul Lakatos SC. Emma Bathurst is the Counsel Assisting, the barrister whose job it is to lead witnesses through their evidence and test it.
Who will appear?
ICAC publishes a witness list on a weekly basis. The first week will feature a bevy of university governance insiders - from a Deputy University Secretary to governance officers and administrators to a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Chief People and Culture Officer.
How to follow it
The hearings are open to the public at ICAC’s Sydney offices and will be livestreamed via the ICAC website at icac.nsw.gov.au.
The Pulse Illawarra will report on what happened, who said what when, what it means, and what to watch.
The inquiry centres on allegations involving Alyssa White, the university's Chief Governance Officer; Chancellor Michael Still; and former interim Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar.
Profiles of the key figures involved are available on our Operation Scandi index page.
ICAC has made no findings in Operation Scandi. All allegations remain subject to investigation.
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