“The committee was especially concerned about Ms. West’s evidence that the role was being given as a ‘gift’ to another person. The public demands that public service charges, funded with taxpayer dollars, be hired with the highest level of integrity.
“Clearly that has not been the case in this situation.”
Another hearing of the investigation is scheduled for next Tuesday, with invitations sent to the General Counsel of the Department of Business, Trade and Investment and two former employees of Barilaro.
In his first public comments on the saga, West explained to the consultation the extensive interview process he undertook to secure the commercial site.
She said Brown congratulated her on getting the role in an Aug. 12 text message that included emojis from the Statue of Liberty and a bottle of champagne.
According to his evidence, the manuscript file he wrote last year details his recollection of conversations with Brown in September, when he was first informed that the job offer was being canceled.
A contemporary note, dated Sept. 17, explained that Brown explained that West’s contract could not advance “even though I had been verbally offered by the state’s commercial investment commissioner. [STIC] The role of America [and] the prime minister signing the work / brief ”.
The briefing note, signed by then-Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian, reads: “Jenny West has been identified as the successful candidate for the role of STIC Americas. The Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer will also be notified of Ms. West’s selection. “.
Perrottet told Parliament in June that Barilaro was appointed after “the first recruitment process did not identify a suitable candidate.”
The prime minister doubled his statement on Tuesday, insisting that what he said in parliament was based on “obviously the department’s advice”.
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“This is the advice I have still received and nothing has changed,” Perrottet said.
He said West’s claims that the job would be a “gift for someone” were worrisome. “There is absolutely no room for government job giveaways, whether they are legal appointments or from the government sector,” Perrottet said.
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