Why Small Business and Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos was dumped from cabinet

Dominic Perrottet refused to be “in a position where members of the public service don’t feel safe”, he says, after sacking Eleni Petinos amid bullying claims.

Premier Dominic Perrottet made the call to dump embattled Miranda MP Eleni Petinos from cabinet after he acknowledged “members of the public service did not feel comfortable” working in her office.

Ms Petinos was sacked from her role as Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading following bullying allegations levelled by staff.

She denies the claims.

Mr Perrottet on Monday revealed he sought further information from Department of Customer Service Secretary Emma Hogan following an anonymous complaint alleging Ms Petinos bullied a Ministerial staffer.

“She took me through a range of issues, and I formed the view that if there was any possibility at all, that there was an unsafe workplace, that I had to take action,” he said.

The Premier has dumped Eleni Petinos as a member of his cabinet. Picture: AAP

He added he “cannot be in a position” where staff didn’t feel safe at work.

It comes a day after The Telegraph reported the decision to remove Ms Petinos was understood to be due to her dealings with the department she oversaw.

Premier Dominic Perrottet sought more information from the public service over the weekend before acting. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Based on the information I have received. I don’t believe that the environment in that office was appropriate … Members of the public service did not feel comfortable,” he said.

Mr Perrottet denied there was parallels between Ms Petinos’ situation and that of Stuart Ayres, who is facing increasing scrutiny over the role he played in the selection of a candidate for a $500,000 trade commissioner job in New York which eventually went to former Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

“One (situation) goes to behaviour and a safe workplace … I made the judgement call that Ms Petinos needed to stand down,” he said.

A former senior public servant in the Department of Fair Trading claimed the outgoing Minister had “quite a poisonous relationship” with the department under her portfolio.

The former Small Business and Fair Trading Minister was seen at Sydney Airport amid the controversy. Picture: Nine News

“Her interest was in the Small Business portfolio, not Fair Trading,” she said.

“She had quite a poisonous relationship with the department and the staff. She was dismissive of their views, and not appreciative that people knew what they were talking about. ”

Staff at her electorate office in Miranda were busily dumping armloads of documents into a skip bin on Monday morning, understood to be blank stationary printed with Ms Petinos’ former titles which can no longer be used.

The Daily Telegraph revealed the allegations against Ms Petinos last Friday.

Labor spokeswoman Courtney Houssos called for a “full explanation” of the saga from the Premier.

Labor’s spokeswoman for Better Regulation and Innovation, Courtney Houssos, called on the Premier to provide a “full explanation” of the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Ms Petinos.

She added she would probe public servants on the conditions in Ms Petinos’ office and department at budget estimates in early September.

“I am concerned about the impact on former and current staff, and call on the Premier to ensure staff receive the support they need,” she said.

“If the Government fails to provide a full explanation, I will be asking questions at the upcoming Budget Estimates hearings.”

The Daily Telegraph revealed last week allegations from staff that Ms Petinos oversaw an “unsafe” workplace, in which she used the words “retarded” and “stupid” towards an employee.

Mr Perrottet announced late on Sunday Ms Petinos’ would be dumped from cabinet.

In a statement on Sunday, Ms Petinos said “I would never intentionally offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable, and if I did I am truly sorry.”

Eleni Petinos’ full statement

“Tonight (Sunday, July 31) the Premier informed me I would no longer be a Minister in his Government.

“I am proud of my work while I served the people of NSW as Minister for Small Business and Minister for Fair Trading. I fought hard for small businesses who are the lifeblood of NSW and I will continue to advocate for them regardless of my role.

“The intense pressures and stresses of such important portfolios are significant for both staff and their Minister. I thank my staff for their efforts in supporting me to deliver for the people of NSW.

“I would never intentionally offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable, and if I did I am truly sorry.

“I pursue politics to make a positive difference and will continue to do so proudly as the Member for Miranda.”