John Barilaro’s appearance before an inquiry probing his controversial US trade post appointment didn’t deliver the admission of guilt or the gotcha moment NSW Opposition MPs were hoping for. But his evidence was still painful for a Perrottet government which remains on the ropes as long as this unedifying and avoidable scandal grinds on in the public eye.

Almost two months since the former MP was announced as the pick to take on the $500,000 New York trade post in a Friday afternoon press release timed to be overlooked, the spotlight remains on the government and its influence on the process that appointed a colleague to one of the state’s most coveted roles.