‘You have got to go’: former NSW minister tells Icac ‘something strange at play’ when she was sacked by Perrottet

Eleni Petinos, a former minister in the New South Wales Liberal government, has provided testimony to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) concerning her dismissal from her ministerial portfolio in July 2022. Petinos, who held the position of Minister for Fair Trading, stated that her sacking, which was officially attributed to allegations of bullying staff, was both unfair and potentially influenced by her reluctance to remove David Chandler, the state's building commissioner. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is a statutory body in New South Wales, Australia, tasked with investigating corruption and maladministration in public administration and the NSW public sector. Its investigations can lead to significant political repercussions.

Petinos recounted to the Icac inquiry numerous instances throughout 2022 where she alleged she was pressured by fellow members of the Liberal Party to dismiss David Chandler. These individuals reportedly presented claims that Chandler was "dodgy" and ought to be sacked. Petinos conveyed to the inquiry that she perceived "something strange at play" regarding the circumstances of her removal from the ministerial position. She posited that her unwillingness to act against Chandler may have been a significant factor in the decision to dismiss her from the cabinet. Dominic Perrottet was the Premier of New South Wales at the time of Petinos's sacking, leading the Liberal-National coalition government.

The former minister's testimony suggests a potential political motivation behind her dismissal, drawing a connection to internal party dynamics and the fate of the building commissioner. The Icac investigation is examining allegations of corruption and misconduct, and Petinos's evidence offers insight into the internal workings of the NSW Liberal government during the period in question. Her account highlights a perceived conflict between her ministerial responsibilities and alleged pressure exerted by individuals within her own party concerning the role and tenure of the building commissioner. The inquiry is continuing to explore these allegations, with Petinos's testimony forming a crucial element of the ongoing proceedings. The circumstances surrounding her sacking and the alleged pressure to dismiss David Chandler are central to the Icac's examination of potential impropriety within the NSW government.