Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos sacked following bullying allegations

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has sacked his small business and fair trading minister Eleni Petinos after allegations she bullied workers emerged during a horror week for his government.

The premier said he had confidence in Petinos last week after media reports alleged the MP berated staff with offensive language including the words “retarded” and “stupid”, triggering the departure of several staffers since she was promoted in December.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (right) has sacked his fair trading minister, Eleni Petinos, following bullying allegations.Credit: Rhett Wyman, Oscar Colman

But in a statement issued on Sunday night, Perrottet said he had spoken to Petinos after “some further matters concerning her were brought to my attention” and moved to stand her down immediately.

“In light of these matters, Ms Petinos’ service as a minister will cease with immediate effect, and I will write to the Governor in this regard tomorrow,” Perrottet said.

He said Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello would assume Petinos’ portfolio responsibilities.

In a statement issued on Sunday night, Petinos confirmed the premier had stood her down as a minister and said she was “truly sorry” if she had offended anyone or made them feel uncomfortable.

The bullying allegations against Petinos came during a week of crises for the Perrottet government that saw pressure mount on Trade Minister Stuart Ayres over his potential involvement in the controversial appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a New York trade role.

The state’s first building commissioner, David Chandler – whose role was overseen by Petinos – also quit his position prematurely last Monday, leading Labor to demand that the Miranda MP explain the reasons for Chandler’s “dramatic” resignation.

Chandler said he resigned from the role voluntarily and it was “time for a reset”.

However, Labor’s spokeswoman for better regulation, Courtney Houssos, said Chandler had “worked for more than 40 years in one of the toughest industries, yet barely lasted seven months working for this minister”.

The opposition has invited Chandler to appear at budget estimates in September, and will lodge a call for papers when parliament resumes to access Chandler’s resignation letter and other correspondence relating to his departure.

Houssos on Sunday night called for the premier to release the letter. “There are still more questions to answer about the conduct of minister Petinos,” she said.

“The public deserves a full explanation from the premier on the circumstances surrounding [Petinos’] dismissal. I’m calling on the government to ensure that appropriate support is in place for her current and former staff and there are no reprisals for them speaking out.”

Petinos in her statement said she was proud of her work as a minister and would continue advocating for small business “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,” she said.

“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.”

Last week, the premier said Petinos had denied the allegations reported by News Corp, as he stressed that an anonymous complaint to the Department of Premier and Cabinet about her conduct had been dealt with appropriately.

“When I raised those allegations that I had received with her she denied those allegations,” Perrottet said.

“In any event, I’ve made it incredibly clear of my expectations as premier in relation to workplace practice and procedure.”

Petinos also rejected any allegations of improper conduct last week. She was on pre-planned leave but in a statement issued on Friday said she valued her staff and sought to provide “a professional and safe environment”.

But nervous Liberal Party MPs, who spoke to the Herald anonymously earlier on Sunday in order to speak freely, said the premier needed to act quickly to stem the crisis engulfing his government and ask both Ayres and Petinos to stand down.

Petinos entered NSW parliament in 2015 as member for Miranda at the age of 28. She was a former staff member of NSW senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

With Lucy Cormack

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