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

Former New South Wales fair trading minister Eleni Petinos has testified before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), alleging she was pressured by colleagues to remove building commissioner David Chandler. Petinos told the inquiry that she suspected she was being used by Liberal party members aiming to oust Chandler, recounting numerous attempts in 2022 to persuade her that he was "dodgy" and should be sacked.

Petinos also stated that her subsequent dismissal as a minister in July 2022, under the Dominic Perrottet government, was unfair and potentially motivated by her resistance to sacking Chandler. She described her swift and "cold" dismissal by Perrottet, who was overseas at the time, as bizarre, especially given his initial support following media reports of bullying allegations against her.

“

Subsequently, yes.

Her testimony came shortly after Chandler's resignation, which included an incendiary letter alleging undue developer influence on the Liberal government and a lack of support from Petinos and her staff. Chandler was later reinstated, and the events have prompted serious questions about whether he was being undermined by certain factions within the government.

The ICAC inquiry is also examining allegations related to Operation Rosny, which investigates potential payments totaling $2 million from fugitive developer Jean Nassif to Liberal party operatives, including Charles Perrottet (the premier's brother) and others. These payments are scrutinized for potential breaches of donations laws. Charles Perrottet, who had previously suggested to Petinos that Chandler was "dodgy," is expected to appear before ICAC in the coming weeks. Chandler himself is expected to give evidence denying any wrongdoing.

“

I thought there was something very strange at play for Dominic to take the action that he did so swiftly or so coldly and without the opportunity to even put me in front of the cameras. That seemed bizarre.