Liberal 'set up' in apparent bid to dump building boss

Former NSW Minister Eleni Petinos, then the Fair Trading Minister, has expressed disgust over what she believes to be an attempt to remove a disliked building commissioner, David Chandler. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that Liberal Party operatives sought financial gain from property developer Jean Nassif in exchange for political outcomes, including Chandler's removal.

Petinos, who previously had a functional relationship with Chandler, recalls being approached by former Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet's factional operative, Charles, who referred to Chandler as "dodgy." Additionally, another operative, Chris Spence, is said to have shown Petinos a video potentially damaging to Chandler's reputation.

Spence's chief of staff, Cassandra Lawry, testified that she was shown the covert clip by Spence and suggested that referring the video to ICAC might help remove Chandler. Lawry admitted to wondering if Spence had a motive for showing her the video and text messages, expressing a belief that she and her office might have been used in the scheme. Chandler resigned in July 2022 following his clearance of misconduct allegations.