09.03.2021
2 min read

‘Rumours and smear, based on innuendo’: NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes denies ‘toxic’ office allegations

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes has denied allegations of bullying in his office and problems with a hostile workplace environment.

Linda Reynolds future in doubt

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes has labelled allegations of bullying and discord in his office as “rumours and smear, based on innuendo”.

Reports in The Australian newspaper on Tuesday revealed at least 13 staff members in Stokes’ ministerial office had departed in the past 12 months amid claims of bullying by a senior staff member.

Stokes in NSW budget estimates on Tuesday denied Labor MP Adam Searle’s allegation he oversaw a hostile workplace environment.

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He said it was tantamount to “rumours and smear, based on innuendo”.

“I certainly do not support bullying or intimidation, including via anonymous smear campaigns in newspapers,” Stokes said.

“There is a great culture, supportive of one another, ably led. They are professional, competent ... they have my support.”

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes denies a Labor allegation he's overseen a hostile work environment. Credit: AAP

Stokes said he had about 10 ministerial staff at any one time and there was no single reason for what Searle labelled a “mass exodus” of staff.

Searle also told estimates only two members of Stokes’ ministerial staff had remained in their position over the long term.

Five of the 13 departed staff members wound up at the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in the public service, Searle said.

Stokes did not disclose if staff had directly approached him with bullying allegations, nor if he had discussed the issue with Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“I have a statutory obligation to provide a safe workplace for all people who work for me. I take that obligation very seriously,” Stokes said.

“I will not tolerate bullying in my office ... sure, from time to time, there are stresses as there are in any workplace. But the people who work with me and who support my efforts, I absolutely support them.

“I’d lie in front of a bulldozer for any one of them.”