John Barilaro gives up New York role as US trade commissioner

John Barilaro has decided to step back from his new role as US trade commissioner, saying his appointment was a distraction for the NSW government.

John Barilaro has withdrawn from his new role as US trade commissioner to New York because his appointment was a distraction for the government.

Mr Barilaro’s appointment, which would have seen him move into a $905,000 office, is the subject of an ongoing parliamentary inquiry and a review from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

His decision, which he said was driven by “the amount of media attention the appointment has gained”, cames as The Daily Telegraph can reveal that a senior public servant wanted the new trade commissioner to have “serious commercial experience” and “in-depth exposure in international markets”.

Documents tendered to the parliamentary inquiry and seen by The Telegraph showed then Treasury Secretary Michael Pratt ranked candidates highly if they had “international exposure”, “in-depth NY (New York) and markets exposure” and commercial experience.

Yet former deputy premier Mr Barilaro beat out three others to nab the plum posting, despite having less experience in these areas than other candidates.

John Barilaro has announced he will not take the New York-based US trade commissioner role. Picture NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

Mr Pratt was on the first recruitment panel for the lucrative role.

The comments appear at odds with the decision to hire Mr Barilaro.

The former Nationals leader withdrew from the job on Thursday night, following calls to do so from Transport Minister David Elliott.

“It is clear that my taking up this role is now not tenable with the amount of media attention this appointment has gained,” Mr Barilaro said.

“I believe my appointment will continue to be a distraction and not allow this important role to achieve what it was designed to do, and thus my decision.

“I stress that I have always maintained that I followed the process and look forward to the results of the review.”

Investment NSW chief executive, Amy Brown, who hired Mr Barilaro for the job, said he had informed her of his decision to withdraw.

“This evening Mr John Barilaro notified me that he is withdrawing from the role of Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Americas, effective immediately,” she said.

“I request that his privacy be respected at this time.”

Labor Leader Chris Minns said there were still many questions left unanswered.

“Serious concerns remain about how he got the job, and the parliamentary inquiry will continue to pursue those,” he said.