Former NSW minister claims she was ousted to target building commissioner
Ex-fair trading minister Eleni Petinos told the ICAC she was dismissed in July 2022 over bullying claims that may have been linked to attempts to remove building commissioner David Chandler.
During a corruption hearing, former NSW fair trading minister Eleni Petinos said she was used by fellow Liberals to pressure building commissioner David Chandler into stepping down, describing repeated attempts in 2022 to brand him “dodgy.” She argued that her July 2022 dismissal for alleged bullying was unusually abrupt and possibly tied to her reluctance to fire Chandler. Chandler later resigned, submitting a resignation letter that accused developers of influencing the Liberal government, before being reinstated.
The testimony linked the episode to Operation Rosny, which is probing $2 million in alleged donations to party operatives Charles Perrottet, Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood. Additional witnesses, including former MP Chris Spence and former Nationals leader John Barilaro, are expected to appear before the ICAC, while several party figures have denied wrongdoing.
Why it matters
The testimony suggests political interference in a key regulator, raising concerns about corruption and governance in NSW.
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