NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres insists he kept an “arm’s length” in the appointment of John Barilaro to a plum trade post, despite more documents outlining his deep involvement in the process
Under siege NSW minister Stuart Ayres has refused to stand aside over his role in John Barilaro’s appointment to a plum US trade post as questions over the jobs-for-mates scandal pushes the Perrottet government to crisis point.
As the minister addressed media, a new tranche of department documents revealed that a final interview report for Mr Barilaro had several scores upgraded and his weaknesses watered down after he signed the contract for the role. “His lack of business development networks would mean he would have a considerable learning curve in the role,” the first report stated.“The panel came to the view that John had highly relevant experience for the role,” it said. “While he has not lived internationally, he has successfully developed international businesses in both his roles ... while he would have a learning curve on doing business in the US, he had a strong track record of building teams.
Mr Ayres’ comments came from Sydney’s Theatre Royal where he announced that NSW had secured the Tina Turner musical, which will come to Sydney in 2023. But the event was overshadowed by a deepening crisis triggered by revelations the trade minister intervened in the recruitment process for the US trade role.
The embattled minister on Sunday night issued a lengthy Facebook post chalking up the scandal as an attack by the Labor opposition in the lead-up to the election in March next year, while also hinting at an uneasy relationship with Mr Barilaro.
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