Karen Pensabene

Karen Pensabene

Australia AustraliapoliticianFemale5.1Global Dominance: 0.01%

Karen Pensabene is a local politician and Labor councillor representing Strathfield Council. Recently, she has been vocal in advocating for reduced costs associated with the council's trips to its sister city in South Korea, arguing that the delegation size has led to unnecessary expenses at a time when residents are facing rising council rates and a cost-of-living crisis.

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Recent news mentions

Karen Pensabene is a Labor colleague of Maheswaran who was supposed to receive the mayoralty from Blackmore.

Private investigator Shane De Kauwe recorded breakfast orders during surveillance of mayor Matthew Blackmore
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-22
6.0

Karen Pensabene is a Labor colleague of Maheswaran who is also being investigated by the ICAC.

Former Toplace lawyer denies lying to commission over $148,500 cheque, Liberal fundraiser
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-21
5.0

Karen Pensabene is a Labor councillor who was scheduled to appear at the inquiry but was excused due to ill health.

What we learnt from ICAC week eight
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-20
5.0

Karen Pensabene is a Labor councillor who was involved in a handshake deal with Blackmore and Maheswaran regarding the mayoralty of Strathfield Council.

Inside Matthew Blackmore and Sharangan Maheswaran’s frosty relationship after Strathfield council election deal
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-18
5.0

Fellow Labor councillor Karen Pensabene was mentioned as a potential successor to Blackmore in the inquiry.

Former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore was not bothered by dirt sheet, inquiry told
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-17
5.0

Pensabene remains on the council with Blackmore and was involved in discussions about the mayoral position.

Former Strathfield mayor Matthew Blackmore appears; Jean Nassif due to give evidence
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-14
5.0

Karen Pensabene's relationship with Matthew Blackmore became strained after he sacked the council’s general manager.

Jean Nassif, Matthew Blackmore set to give evidence
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-14
5.0

Karen Pensabene is a councillor allegedly involved in the attempted blackmail of Matthew Blackmore.

What we learnt from week seven’s appearances by Liberal lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-11
5.0

Karen Pensabene is a colleague of Sharangan Maheswaran, also alleged to have engaged in misconduct.

NSW Police investigate source of dirt sheet linking ALP figures to ICAC inquiry
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-07-14
3.0

Maheswaran, along with his Labor colleague Strathfield councillor Karen Pensabene, face allegations of trying to blackmail Blackmore.

ICAC target Sharangan Maheswaran launches legal action against political enemy Matthew Blackmore
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-07-10
5.0

Karen Pensabene is a Labor councillor alleged to have engaged in misconduct during the inquiry.

Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney stands aside over illegal donation allegations
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-07-02
3.0

Karen Pensabene is a former Strathfield Citizen of the Year and a councillor involved in the ICAC investigation.

What we know so far about the investigation into Jean Nassif
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-07-01
5.0

Karen Pensabene expressed concerns about the rising costs of the council's trip to Korea.

Strathfield Council to reduce cost of $70,000 Korea trip
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2025-03-24
5.0