Former NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro pictured in Bali with Jennifer Lugsdin

Photos show a loved-up John Barilaro and his former staffer Jennifer Lugsdin kicking off 2024 in style with a sunny holiday in Bali.

Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro has kicked off 2024 in style – leaving behind the stresses of last year with a sunny holiday in Bali with his girlfriend and former staffer, Jennifer Lugsdin.

Images posted to the one-time NSW Nationals leader’s Instagram show a loved-up Barilaro and Lugsdin beaming in the Indonesian sun while frequenting a host of day clubs popular with the thousands of Aussies who make the trip there every year.

In one post, a relaxed-looking Barilaro took selfies wearing a white unbuttoned shirt with Lugsdin on his shoulder, with the caption reading “Great start to 2024”, capping it off with a love-heart emoji.

The picture was tagged at Finn’s Beach Club at Canggu, a beachside day club with a steady stream of Aussie visitors.

In another post, Barilaro checked in at Cretya Ubud – another day club and restaurant with stunning views looking out over a luxury infinity pool and staggered green fields.

John Barilaro and his former staffer Jennifer Lugsdin are currently holidaying in Bali.

The series of photos included another of the shirtless former deputy premier and Lugsdin, both beaming and appearing to be fresh from a dip in the network of pools around the club.

“Another day in Bali, another piece of paradise,” he captioned the photos.

John Barilaro, pictured with Jennifer Lugsdin, checked into a number of popular Bali day clubs.

The former political heavyweight will be hoping for a quieter year in 2024 after being dragged into the spotlight multiple times since his retirement from Macquarie Street in 2021.

While he never shirked controversy while in power – he once threatened to blow up the Nationals’ Coalition with the Liberals over the infamous ‘Koala wars’ – the habit of finding himself at the centre of stories didn’t end when he left parliament.

Last year he was found liable for more than $10,000 after he damaged equipment in a scuffle with a cameraman filming him.

He previously had charges of common assault and destroying or damaging property linked to that incident dismissed on mental health grounds.

The loved-up pair frequented a number of day clubs popular with Aussie tourists.

Pictures: Instagram

In 2022, Barilaro was handed a plum $500,000-a-year job as a trade commissioner based in New York on behalf of the NSW government – but the appointment triggered a parliamentary inquiry amid revelations he created the roles while in government.

The episode caused further damage to the then-Coalition government when it emerged the gig had first been offered to a public servant, before it was taken off her and given to Barilaro.

The NSW corruption watchdog last year cleared Barilaro and former trade minister Stuart Ayres – who lost his spot in then-premier Dominic Perrottet’s cabinet over the drama – of any wrongdoing in the saga.