Building Commissioner cited issues with ex-minister Eleni Petinos in resignation letter

Details from a resignation letter penned by outgoing building commissioner David Chandler have revealed he had a ‘problematic’ relationship with sacked minister Eleni Petinos.

Details from an explosive resignation letter have emerged which reveal that a “problematic” relationship with sacked NSW minister Eleni Petinos was behind the shock resignation of the state’s building commissioner.

Building Commissioner David Chandler unexpectedly announced last month he would be walking away from the high-profile role on Nov­ember 30.

He gave no reasons for his departure beyond declaring it was time for “a reset”.

It can now be revealed a resignation letter Mr Chandler sent — and relayed in part to The Saturday Telegraph — specifically raised issues with “the minister” Ms Petinos and her office, to whom he ­reported.

These included difficulties in contacting the office since Ms Petinos took over the Fair Trading portfolio from Nationals MP Kevin Anderson, and delays to building laws which Mr Chandler said were having an impact on the confidence of business and industry.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler cited issues with the minister and her office in his resignation letter. Picture: Tim Hunter

Mr Chandler also wrote about a stop-work order he ­issued to a Sydney property firm in relation to a site in Western Sydney over construction work.

The firm, Coronation Property, made headlines on a separate issue earlier this year after it emerged it had hired former deputy premier John Barilaro as its executive director.

Mr Barilaro quit the firm after he was appointed to a $500,000-a-year New York trade post — a position he later withdrew from amid contro­versy over the selection process.

The matter will be raised by the Opposition at the September Budget Estimates, with Mr Chandler expected to appear to discuss his resignation.

In his letter to the Department of Customer Service, Mr Chandler wrote that his decision to quit was done so with regret.

“Given where all the above matters now rest, I believe my continued role as building commissioner is no longer viable,” he wrote. “Accordingly and reluctantly I now tender my intention to step down.”

Eleni Petinos was sacked from her ministerial roles after former staff made allegations about the way her office ran. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Ms Petinos was last week sacked by Premier Dominic Perrottet amid allegations she was running an unsafe office.

The Miranda MP has denied intentionally offending anyone and apologised if anyone was ever made to feel uncomfortable.

Mr Perrottet explained his swift action followed inquiries he made to Department of Customer Service secretary Emma Hogan.

The Saturday Telegraph has confirmed Ms Hogan spoke with Ms Petinos at the time at least one staff member raised concerns about her ­office’s working environment.

Opposition better regulation spokeswoman Courtney Houssos called on Mr Perrottet to release Mr Chandler’s letter in full.

“This raises more questions about the sacking of former minister Petinos,” she said.

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