David Elliott says John Barilaro should resign from trade commissioner role

Ex-deputy premier John Barilaro should stand aside from his New York trade commissioner role, a senior NSW MP has said, as an inquiry continues into how he was given the position.

Senior NSW MP David Elliott has become the first government minister to publicly call on John Barilaro to step aside from his plum New York job posting, saying he expected the former Deputy Premier to do “the honourable thing”.

Talking to Peter Stefanovic on Sky News First Edition on Thursday, the transport Minister conceded the appointment “might not be in the best interest” of NSW residents.

“Well, I expect him to withdraw and do the honourable thing, because quite clearly when you become the story over an appointment, well, then the appointment might be not in the best interest of the people of New South Wales,” Mr Elliott said.

When asked if it was Mr Barilaro’s “fault” or “the system” that had led to Mr Barilaro being appointed, Mr Elliott said he had a “very strong view” on whether the posting should go ahead.

“Well, I’ll let the parliamentary inquiry and the premier’s investigation determine that but I my very, very strong view is that he shouldn’t be going to New York and I’m pretty sure that that’s the view of the majority of people in this state,” he said.

David Elliott has called on Mr Barilaro to step down from the role.

Stuart Ayres said it is up to Mr Barilaro (pictured) to step back from the job if he wishes. Picture: Steven Saphore

The comments come after the first day of a parliamentary inquiry into how Mr Barilaro was appointed to the $500,000 a year New York trade commissioner role – a position he signed off on creating in office as Minister of trade.

The hearing heard Investment NSW was ordered by the NSW cabinet to “unwind” the job contract of “a great candidate” for the role of NSW’s trade commissioner to New York before John Barilaro was hired for the lucrative role, parliament heard.

The NSW Parliament inquiry into appointment of John Barilaro as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas. Picture: Sky News

Under the posting, Mr Barilaro’s US living allowance will be $16,000 and a fit out of the Investment NSW New York office costed $905,000, the inquiry was told.

The “preferred candidate”, understood to be public servant Jenny West, was dropped by Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown after a “decision of government”.
Labor leader Chris Minns has also called for Mr Barilaro to vacate the role.

John Barilaro sent Trade Minister Stuart Ayres a text message about his interest in a trade commissioner role prior to the job being publicly advertising.

Mr Ayres said he received the text message in early December and he informed Mr Barilaro that the job would be advertised publicly on December 17 and he could apply like any other citizen.

John Barilaro sent Trade Minister Stuart Ayres (pictured) a text message about his interest in a trade commissioner role prior to the job being publicly advertising. Picture NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

Mr Ayres defended his decision to inform Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown about Mr Barilaro’s interest in the position.

“I wanted to make it absolutely clear that there was going to be no political influence,” he said.

Responding to comments from his cabinet colleague David Elliott, Mr Ayres said it is up to Mr Barilaro to step back from the job if he wishes.

“That’s a decision for him. Unfortunately, I do not have the capacity to direct Amy Brown as the employer of this role on what to do. She has to come to that conclusion herself, or John can make the decision that he no longer wants to do the job.”