Editorial: Perrottet’s Barilaro problem recalls the ALP’s death throes in 2011
After this week in NSW politics, some will be experiencing a flashback to the last days of the ALP government in 2011.
On Wednesday the Independent Commission Against Corruption recommended the DPP consider charging Drummoyne MP John Sidoti for abuse of public office in relation to his attempts to improperly influence councillors to benefit his family’s property interests in Sydney’s inner west. Perrottet has asked Sidoti to quit politics but the former Liberal has refused, maintaining his innocence.
Over the past week, Barilaro’s former chief of staff Mark Connell has told a parliamentary inquiry that in 2019 Barilaro, then trade minister, had told him that he viewed the trade role as “the job for when I get the f--- out of this place”. Barilaro denies this conversation took place. It emerged this week that about the time the job offer was revoked, Barilaro took the unusual step of asking a staffer, Joseph Brayford, to fast-track a submission to cabinet to turn the position into a political appointment. The submission was lodged on September 17 and considered by the cabinet on September 27, just before Barilaro resigned from parliament. It was an unusually fast turnaround.
This is not the only unusual aspect of the second selection process. Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown has told the inquiry she eliminated the main rival candidate to Barilaro because she had arranged for the candidate to meet Ayres and she was worried they could not work together.
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