NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres says he’ll quit if independent review makes adverse finding against him

After new revelations in the John Barilaro scandal, NSW’s embattled Trade Minister has admitted he may not be able to keep his job.

Besieged NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres has said he wishes he had told his former colleague John Barilaro to not apply for the job as trade envoy to New York.

The former deputy premier‘s appointment in June to the $500,000-a-year job sparked a 40-day firestorm of criticism that’s shown no sign of cooling down despite Mr Barilaro saying he’ll give up the job.

Mr Ayres has been under pressure in recent days after documents emerged that appeared to contradict comments he’d made to parliament and the media.

Ex-NSW deputy premier John Barilaro gave up the trade job. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The Trade Minister maintains he wasn't involved in the recruitment process for the senior trade and investment commissioner job in the US, but emails released to parliament show he asked for a person to be added to a “short shortlist” of candidates.

He’s also told parliament there was never a “suitable candidate” for the job before Mr Barilaro was hired, maintaining that was true even though a briefing has emerged that shows he previously signed off on a woman as the ”successful candidate” for the role.

Appearing on the 2GB radio station on Tuesday morning, Mr Ayres acknowledged his job as minister was at risk.

“I think yeah, you should absolutely see that,” he said.

NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres is under fire. Picture: John Feder/The Daily Telegraph.

“I think there’s a lot of publicity around this issue. I’ve always acted in the best interests of the people of NSW, I think the Head review will show that,” he said.

Mr Ayres was referring to an independent review called for by the Premier that is headed by former public service commissioner Graeme Head.

“If the Head review shows that I’ve not done the right thing, then I don’t think my position would be tenable. But I don’t believe that’s the case … I’ve done my role as a minister here and I think the Head review will show that.”

Mr Ayres also said he would do one thing differently if he had his time again – tell Mr Barilaro to steer clear of the trade job.

“If I had my time again, I would have said to him, the timeframe between the end of your parliamentary career and you applying for this job will be too politically sensitive and you should not consider doing the role,” Mr Ayres said.

Originally published as NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres says he’ll quit if independent review makes adverse finding against him