NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe reinstated after backflip by Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox

ROD Stowe has been reinstated as the state’s top consumer cop less than a week after Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox told him “I have no confidence in you.”

Rod Stowe is back. But why was he gone?

ROD Stowe has been reinstated as the state’s top consumer cop less than a week after Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox told him “I have no confidence in you.”

In an embarrassing climb-down, Mr Mason-Cox yesterday issued a statement saying he was “pleased to confirm Commissioner for Fair Trading Rod Stowe has today returned from leave”.

The Daily Telegraph understands last Friday he privately told the commissioner he no longer had confidence in him; Mr Stowe cleaned out his office on Saturday.

Public Defender: the truth about the departure of the consumers’ champion

It’s believed Mr Mason-Cox was livid over a supposed nine-day delay in Fair Trading telling him a knock-off phone charger was suspected in the electrocution of Sheryl Anne Aldeguer.

However, yesterday The Daily Telegraph revealed the Minister’s office was informed on the same day Mr Stowe was first briefed on the apparent link and that his ousting may have been the result of him losing a power struggle within the department.

Mr Mason-Cox, who continues to refuse to answer questions about Mr Stowe’s absence, issued a statement yesterday saying: “I had a few questions regarding communications between NSW Fair Trading and my Office and wanted to ensure that this was running smoothly,” the statement said.

“I have been in discussions with Commissioner Stowe and I am confident that this has been addressed.”

The Telegraph understands that prior to today there had been no ongoing “discussions” between the minister and commissioner.

Mr Mason-Cox continued: “I look forward to continuing to work with the Commissioner to protect consumers and promote Fair Trading services to ensure a fair and safe marketplace.”

Repeated requests to the Minister’s office seeking an interview have been unsuccessful.

“He’s not available,” a spokeswoman said yesterday. She would not say why.

Mr Stowe was not available, either.

Labor’s spokeswoman on Fair Trading, Bankstown MP Tania Mihailuk, called on Premier Mike Baird to remove Mr Mason-Cox, already the third man to hold the portfolio in eight months.

The Telegraph yesterday reported deep divisions exist within the department about how it should be structured, what it should focus on and how it should communicate with the public.

Follow Public Defender on Twitter