Tim Crakanthorp MP: Parents-in-law of ex-minister have NSW Government contract on Newcastle commercial property

The parents-in-law of ousted minister Tim Crakanthorp have a state government contract worth more than $600,000 relating to one of their Newcastle commercial properties.

Mr Tim Crakanthorp and the Fitzroy property leased by his parents-in-law to the state government.

The parents-in-law of ousted minister Tim Crakanthorp have a state government contract worth almost $700,000 on one of their Newcastle properties to store government agency boats, tender contracts revealed.

The most recent NSW Property contracts register, released in March, showed Joseph and Santina Manitta, parents of Mr Crakanthorp’s wife Laura, are engaged in a five-year contract with the state government, who lease one of their Carrington commercial properties, in Newcastle.

NSW Property, the property agency for the state government, paid the Manittas $687,000 in 2019 for a “head lease” on their 45 Fitzroy St commercial building.

It is understood the property, which has access to the Hunter River, homes the local Roads and Maritime Service and is also used for their boat storage.

The contract, NSW Property records revealed, was signed in October 2019 and remains active for five years.

Newcastle NSW MP Tim Crakanthorp.

A Planning Department spokesman said the contract was renewed in 2019, but had been ongoing since 2009, predating Mr Crakanthorp’s election and elevation to the ministry.

It is unclear if the $700,000 covers the entirety of the contract or just the most recent five-year extension.

The department didn’t comment on whether the continuation of the contract constituted a conflict of interest, given Mr Crackenthorpe is the local MP, and his previous position as NSW Hunter Minister.

According to datahub Core Logic, the property was bought by Mr and Ms Manitta in 2000 for $377,000 and has been leased out to a variety of Newcastle-based companies in the years since, including a private helicopter firm.

Mr Crakanthorp, who was the Hunter Minister until his sacking on Wednesday, remains the Newcastle NSW MP, whose electorate encompasses 45 Fitzroy St.

45 Fitzroy St, Carrington. The property owned by the Manittas and leased to the state government. Picture: Google

Premier Chris Minns sacked Mr Crakanthorp from his ministry on Wednesday. Picture: Nikki Short

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing from any of the three parties: Mr Crakanthorp, the Manitta family, or the state government.

The Planning Department spokesman said the location was chosen due to its waterfront proximity.

“Property NSW facilitated the renewal of a commercial lease agreement on behalf of Transport for NSW at 45 Fitzroy Street, owned by the Manitta family,” he said.

“The property is used to store government watercraft used in frontline service delivery and is important, as it provides direct access to the Hunter River and Throsby Creek.”

The contract has been renewed twice: in 2014 and 2019.

Mr Crakanthorp was also contacted.

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