Ayers denies any wrongdoing but says he will stand down as deputy NSW Liberal leader to allow matters to be investigated
Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPPhotograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPStuart Ayres has resigned as deputy NSW Liberal leader and trade and investment minister, with the premier,, saying a draft of an independent report raised questions over his engagement with the department in the appointment of John Barilaro to a New York trade position.
“Based on information I received yesterday, there are questions … that relate to the engagement between the minister and a department secretary in respect of the recruitment process,” Perrottet said. In a statement released on Wednesday, Ayres said he did not believe he had breached the code but would stand down while it was investigated to maintain the integrity of the cabinet.
“To maintain the integrity of the cabinet, I have decided to resign as a minister to allow the investigation to be completed,” he said. “Mr Head’s review does not and could not extend to whether Mr Ayres had complied with the ministerial code of conduct. When I put these matters to Mr Ayres, he offered his resignation from the ministry and as deputy leader of the parliamentaryThe report was still in its draft form, Perrottet stressed, and would not be released until it was completed. He said the parts he had seen so far, however, “clearly demonstrates the process was not at arm’s length”.
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