Dominic Perrottet ‘disappointed’ John Barilaro taking spotlight off Japan visit

Premier Dominic Perrottet has admitted he is disappointed that controversy over John Barilaro’s appointment to a New York role might overshadow a major trade trip to Japan, Korea and India.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has admitted he is disappointed that controversy over John Barilaro’s appointment to a New York role might overshadow a major trade trip to Japan, Korea and India.

Mr Perrottet officially opened the Investment NSW office in Tokyo on Thursday, alongside Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to North Asia Michael Newman — the same job Mr Barilaro would have taken up in Manhattan before he pulled out of the job.

The Premier used his first event on a 10-day international trip to spruik the importance of NSW having a local trade presence in Asia, saying that trade commissioner roles are needed to ensure our state is not left behind.

However he agreed that he was disappointed that his trip could be derailed by a growing scandal over trade roles back home.

“I’ve got to keep doing the job,” he told reporters in Japan. “Obviously there are challenges domestically, I accept that. But my job as Premier is to continue to drive our state forward.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet visits the 600-year-old Hie Shrine in Tokyo. Picture: James O'Doherty

On his first leg of his trade tour, Mr Perrottet opened the Investment NSW “North Asia Hub” in a major Tokyo business district.

NSW exports to Japan reached $10.5 billion in 2020-21, with two-way trade valued a $17.1 billion.

Premier Dominic Perrottet at Hie Shrine with NSW Trade Commissioner Michael Newman and Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter. Picture: James O'Doherty

Flanked by Mr Newman and NSW’s top bureaucrat Michael Coutts-Trotter, Mr Perrottet made a ceremonial visit to the 600 year old Hie Shrine in Akasaka, ahead of talks with major businesses and a keynote address on Thursday night.

He said NSW’s trade commissioners are a vital way to connect NSW businesses to overseas’ opportunities, and backed the creation of a New York role by admitting his previous Ministerial visits to the USA were “incredibly poor”.

Mr Perrottet denied helping Mr Barilaro fast track a proposal through cabinet to give Ministers control over appointing trade commissioners, before cabinet signed off on the move in September last year.

The Premier said the “majority” of cabinet supported Mr Barilaro’s push for trade commissioners to be Ministerial appointments.

Premier Dominic Perrottet opens the Investment NSW North Asia Trade Hub. Picture: James O'Doherty

“I back the judgment of the Ministers to make the decisions and processes within their departments,” he said.

An explosive statement from Mr Barilaro’s former Chief of Staff claimed the then-Deputy Premier specifically wanted the government to establish a trade role in New York that he could go to when he got “the f*ck out of” politics.

“That’s a contested matter,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Obviously I have concerns about that but I know Mr Barilaro has denied it,” he said.

When Stuart Ayres was given the Trade portfolio after Mr Barilaro’s resignation, Mr Perrottet said he backed the new minister in putting public servants back in charge of the roles.

“There was a change in Trade Minister, and from my perspective I have full faith in my Ministers,” he said.

Mr Perrottet for the first time admitted he had concerns about the way public servant Jenny West was treated after her verbal job offer was withdrawn.

“Concerns have come to light in relation to how the Jenny West matter was handled, which obviously I was unaware of,” he said.

However he said he will not take any actions in light of revelations raised at a parliamentary inquiry until a departmental review of Mr Barilaro’s appointment is completed.

Mr Perrottet declined an invitation to give evidence at that inquiry, Labor’s Treasury spokesman Daniel Mookhey said on Thursday.

The opening of the Investment NSW office in Japan was welcomed by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.

“We hope the NSW Tokyo office will serve as a new bridge between the State of NSW and Tokyo. We look forward to working hand-in-hand for further development,” Governor Koike said.