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After two-and-a-half weeks of allegations about her cronyism, hiring unqualified friends, saying a $389,000 job would be hers and sending interview questions to preferred candidates in advance, Alyssa White on Wednesday appeared at the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
White sits at the centre of a three-week corruption probe into the University of Wollongong as the corruption watchdog examined whether she or others subverted recruitment processes to employ her friends and whether then-chancellor Michael Still or others had improperly awarded work to a firm called Aspirall Consulting.
Both Still and White have resigned from the university.
The hearing is also examining how the university managed interim vice-chancellor and KordaMentha partner John Dewar’s appointment and the conflict of interest with his consulting firm.
Wearing a navy blazer, White appeared calm as she took to the ICAC’s witness box, the last of a 10-strong list of people compelled to testify about allegations of corruption at the university.
The subject of a bullying and overwork investigation and branded as having a “toxic” relationship with staffer Stacy Oon, “inclusive” was the term White chose when asked by counsel assisting Emma Bathurst how to describe her work style.
“Someone that is caring not just about the output of staff but as them as a person. I’m someone who is looking for improvements. I would describe myself as dedicated,” she said, denying that she was a micromanager.
White checked her subordinates’ emails when they were about a decision to be made, she said.
Discussing her relationship with Lucinda Wright, White – who went to Wright’s home, had Wright over and attended Wright’s wedding – said that theirs was one of a mentor/mentee and not beyond the bounds of a normal work acquaintance.
White sat on the panel that hired Wright and reviewed her CV in advance. White said she orally declared the nature of their relationship, while writing on the conflict of interest form that the two had worked together in the past. She didn’t recall if she provided the interview questions in advance.
“I thought she was the best person for the job,” White said.
Taken to the University of Wollongong’s conflict of interest policy, White said that she thought friendship differed significantly to the other relationships like marriage or family, which were to be declared.
“I believe it would be your closest friends, your very close friends,” she said.
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