Parramatta council secretly paid millions to departing staff

The City of Parramatta has secretly paid out nearly $5.24 million to departing staff over the past four years, including $4.26 million in secret agreements. Freedom of information requests revealed 81 staff members left, with 30 signing confidential agreements. The council cited legal advice for not disclosing details, and the CEO denied acknowledging the payouts in a confidential briefing. The council's actions have sparked controversy, with the CEO stating it's normal for a council of its size. The council failed to respond to the freedom-of-information request within the legally required timeframe.