Analysis

Ayres’ exit won’t stop the pain for Perrottet

The trade minister might be out, but questions remain for the Premier, as does the stain of losing two months to a messy and unedifying jobs-for-mates scandal.

Samantha HutchinsonNational reporter

Aug 3, 2022 – 4.07pm

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It could be a case of too little too late for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, whose government remains mired in a jobs-for-mates scandal despite the resignation of one of his most senior MPs on Wednesday.

John Barilaro’s appointment to a plum US trade role after creating the post – and five others – during a lacklustre and self-interested stint as trade minister and deputy premier was never going to wash with the public.

Samantha Hutchinson is the AFR's National Reporter. Most recently, she was CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Before that, she covered Victorian and NSW politics and business for The Australian, the AFR and BRW Magazine.