Former NSW Deputy Prime Minister John Barilaro has resigned as New York’s commercial commissioner.
“It is clear that taking on this role now is not sustainable with the amount of media attention that this appointment has earned,” Barilaro said.
“I think my appointment will continue to be a distraction and will not allow this important role to achieve what was designed and therefore my decision.
“I insist that I have always maintained that I have followed the process and look forward to the results of the review.”
The appointment of Barilaro as NSW’s senior trade and investment commissioner in the US, a position he created when he was trade minister, had come under immense scrutiny.
He heard that the main candidate for the $ 500,000-a-year role, Jenny West, retracted her offer due to a “government decision.”
The investigation learned that Amy Brown of NSW Investment was asked what “other mechanisms” could be named for the business positions, including if it could be a “ministerial appointment”.
Brown also told the investigation that he was concerned that there was interference from a “certain minister” about the appointment.
Amy Brown is testifying in the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the appointment of former NSW Deputy Prime Minister John Barilaro as New York’s trade commissioner. June 29, 2022 (Janie Barrett)
“Who cared about vetoing it?” shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey asked Brown.
“I was concerned that the Deputy Prime Minister’s office felt they had veto rights,” Brown replied.
Brown issued a statement tonight confirming that Barilaro had notified him that he was retiring from the role.
The appointment of the former deputy prime minister to the much-sought-after post came just six months after his resignation from politics.
Barilaro had to start the role in just two weeks.
Retrospective photos of federal politicians