Premier calls SafeWork minister over staff claim working in office of Eleni Petinos is ‘hell’

Dominic Perrottet reminds Eleni Petinos he has ‘zero tolerance’ for bullying as she denies claims from former staff of improper conduct, inappropriate language and overseeing ‘unsafe’ office.

Small Business and Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos. Picture: Supplied

An independent review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at NSW Parliament makes it “very clear that improvements need to be made” about workplace culture on Macquarie Street, Premier Dominic Perrottet says.

Mr Perrottet on Friday declared he has “zero tolerance” for bullying and harassment and warned ministers and staffers that if he sees or is made aware of unacceptable behaviour, “people will lose their jobs”.

It follows former staffers accusing the Minister in charge of safe workplaces, Eleni Petinos, of overseeing an “unsafe” work environment in which she used the word “retarded” and “stupid” towards an employee.

The Premier spoke to Ms Petinos to remind her of her obligations under Ministerial office guidelines.

“I’ve made it incredibly clear expectations as relation to workplace practice and procedure,” he said.

Dominic Perrottet interrupted his overseas trade mission to call Ms Petinos. Picture: Toby Zerna/Office of NSW Premier

Ms Petinos, who Mr Perrottet said is currently on annual leave, denies the allegations, and rejected any allegation of improper conduct.

The phone call came after a former Adviser claimed that they had been “relentlessly bullied’’ in Ms Petinos'’s office.

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the reports made are deeply “troubling”. Picture: Dean Lewins

Staff claim office is ‘hell’

Former employees of Ms Petinos say there were instances of “yelling and swearing” in the office, while at least seven staffers have left her employment since December.

Seizing on the growing number of scandals enveloping the Perrottet government, NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns said the allegations levelled at Workplace Safety Minister Eleni Petinos were “deeply troubling”.

Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos, whose office environment has been called into question by former staffers. Picture: AAP Image

“The suggestion that a horrific epithet was thrown at a staff member and then that staff member reported it and was reportedly fired not too long afterwards is completely unacceptable,” he said.

“We deserve an explanation from the Minister responsible.

“There wouldn’t be a workplace in any part of this country where someone wouldn’t be immediately fired if these allegations are true. A report was made, but there was no inquiry or investigation. Now the Minister must front up and explain what’s happened here and present her side of the story. If she can’t speak about workplace safety in her own office, how is she supposed to do her job as the Minister Workplace Safety in NSW.”

Mr Minns made the comments at Canterbury Hospital as part of his tour of the State’s crisis-ridden emergency departments.

Noting the ongoing saga involving Trade Minister Stuart Ayres’ role in the appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a US trade post, Mr Minns questioned whether Premier Dominic Perrottet even had the authority to demand the deputy Liberal leader to resign.

“If Stuart was serving inside a Labor government, he would have been marched by now,” he said.

“I don’t expect the NSW premier to do much about it because (Ayres is) the deputy leader of the Liberal Party and I don’t think Mr Perrottet has the authority to force a change in his senior ministerial ranks.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and trade Minister Stuart Ayres open the NSW government's trade and investment office in Mumbai on Thursday July 28. Photo: James O’Doherty

“Ultimately, there’s systemic problems inside the NSW government. We’ve got a premier overseas dealing with scandals. There are real problems in this State that are stacking up.”

A spokesman for the Department of Premier and Cabinet confirmed an “anonymous complaint” about the workplace environment in the Ms Petinos'’ office had been received, but no action was taken, at the complainant’s request.

Sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the turnover of staff had raised concerns within the government.

Eleni Petinos arrives for the opening of parliament with other MPs. Picture: AAP Image

“Eleni would do well to note she’s working with a new generation of aspiring young politicians and she should be nurturing them,” a Liberal source said.

One staffer said of the working environment in the office: “It’s just hell.’’

The staffer added: “I felt unsafe.”

The dysfunction in the office extended to delays in correspondence leaving the office “sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months’’.

“Sometimes they wouldn't get out and then it’s your fault,’’ a staffer said.

In response to questioning from The Daily Telegraph, Ms Petinos rejected “any allegations” that her office culture needed reform.

Ms Petinos also said the claim of seven people leaving her employment since December was “incorrect”, and stated: “Department liaison officers (DLOs) are public servants and are rotated subject to the needs of the ministerial office and the department.

“I take my responsibilities as a local member and Minister seriously, and expect that my staff are as committed in delivering for my constituents and the people of NSW as I am,” she said.

Opposition better regulation and innovation spokeswoman Courtney Houssos said the Minister would be grilled on the reasons behind staff turnover when she faced budget estimates in September.

Ms Houssos said she had questioned the Minister on the issue earlier this year.

“In March, I asked the Minister about the staff turnover in her office,” she said.

“I will certainly be asking further questions and pursuing this issue when we reconvene in September.”

The workplace culture in the minister’s office has come under the spotlight following the resignation of NSW building commissioner David Chandler.

Mr Chandler, whose role comes under the umbrella of Ms Petinos’ small business and fair trading portfolios, resigned earlier this month.

His resignation came just weeks after announcing he had extended his contract until September next year.

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