A senior government lawyer has rejected claims that former bureaucrat Jenny West was formally offered a US trade position, as more conflicting evidence emerged in the chaotic process behind John Barilaro’s appointment to the role
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The position is one of six lucrative overseas posts appointed by the public service. However, it has emerged that as deputy premier, Barilaro attempted to have the positions changed to ministerial appointments. Despite advice being deliberated, the conversion never took place. “It was not an instruction that came directly from the deputy premier’s office... I’m categorical on that,” he said.
However, documents produced under a parliamentary order and tabled to the inquiry have revealed Brown responded to Brayford’s questions about the appointment process in early July - at least two months earlier before interviews for the position had begun, and more than a month before West was offered the role.
“Ms West’s evidence was that her contract terms were finalised on 13 August 2021. She also stated that she was fully offered the job, her words. That is not correct,” he said, citing tax issues that halted the process. The opposition has seized on the government’s failure to provide internet documents to the inquiry and clear the record, despite two orders of the upper house.
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