Arabic version: هيئة مكافحة الفساد تجد مديراً في صحة نيو ساوث ويلز متورطاً في فساد جسيم
According to ABC News, the Independent Commission Against Corruption has found former NSW Health director of engineering and asset management Zoran Ribicic engaged in serious corrupt conduct over many years. ICAC handed down its findings on Friday and said he would be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider potential fraud offences.
Mr Ribicic held the NSW Health role between 2021 and 2024. ICAC found he improperly awarded hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to external contractors, including Risk Control Consulting, a company owned by his sister, Mirela Derrin. The company received more than $275,000 in payments from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District over two years. ICAC found he favoured the company over competitors and did not declare the conflict of interest.
The commission also found Mr Ribicic engaged in “order splitting”. He was authorised to approve quotes of up to $30,000 and requested favoured suppliers divide larger work into packages below that amount. ICAC said this enabled him to engage family and associates without the competition and oversight ordinarily required for substantial contracts. An Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District officer reported him to ICAC in July 2024; he was suspended with pay and resigned in September 2024.
ICAC said Mr Ribicic made six government job applications between 2012 and 2025 containing false qualifications and references. He falsely claimed a doctorate in business administration, a master’s degree in project management, a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a TAFE Engineering diploma. The report also found he failed to declare secondary employment with Lanmar between 2023 and 2024, receiving $210,375 for 10 months’ work. Commissioner Helen Murrell said ICAC would provide training to public agencies, with recommendations including stronger qualification checks, conflict-of-interest controls, procurement oversight and consultant governance.
