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Politics161 words1 min read

Ex-Official Tells Inquiry of Threat From Developer

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Listen to the story

David Chandler was a building commissioner in New South Wales, Australia. His job was to check that buildings were safe. He spoke to an inquiry called Icac. Icac looks for bad behaviour by officials.

Chandler talked about a developer named Jean Nassif. A developer is a person who builds new buildings. Nassif built many projects in Sydney.

Chandler said Nassif was 'loud and overbearing'. This means Nassif was rude and tried to control others. The two men had problems with each other.

Chandler said Nassif called him on the phone. Nassif said, 'If you harm my project, I'll harm you.' This is a threat. A threat is when someone says they will hurt you.

Nassif is now called a fugitive. A fugitive is a person who runs away from the police or the law. He is not in Australia now.

The inquiry is still looking at this story. It wants to know more about Nassif and his projects.

Vocabulary15 words

building commissioner
a person whose job is to check buildings are safe
inquiry
an official process to find out the truth
overbearing
trying strongly to control other people
threat
words that say someone will hurt you
fugitive
a person running away from the law
developer
a person who builds new buildings
clash
a strong disagreement between people
corruption
when people in power do bad or dishonest things
official
a person who works for the government
project
a big piece of work, like a building
harm
to hurt someone or something
phone call
talking to someone using a telephone
safe
not dangerous
rude
not polite
control
to have power over someone or something

Quiz

1. What was David Chandler's job?
2. What did Jean Nassif reportedly say to Chandler?
3. True or False: Jean Nassif is now called a fugitive.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

David Chandler was a _____ in New South Wales, Australia.

He spoke to an _____ called Icac.

Chandler talked about a _____ named Jean Nassif.

Chandler said Nassif was 'loud and _____'.

Chandler said Nassif called him on the phone.

Nassif said, 'If you harm my project, I'll _____ you.'

This is a _____. It means someone says they will hurt you.

Nassif is now called a _____.

A fugitive is a person who runs away from the _____.

The inquiry is still looking at this _____.

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