National Party secretary hired for public service job that was not advertised

The awarding of a $200k-a-year job will be examined after the offices of then-deputy premier John Barilaro and Melinda Pavey sent Emma Watts’ CV to the department months earlier.

The National Party’s federal secretary was given a top public sector job without the role being advertised, after her CV was sent on to the department by the offices of then-Deputy Premier John Barilaro and then-Water Minister Melinda Pavey.

The revelations come from advice provided to the Minns government, seen by The Daily Telegraph, into how Emma Watts was appointed as the Assistant Cross Border commissioner, a job paying more than $200,000 per year.

Ms Watts’ role, and Cross Border commissioner’s office, now faces the axe amid widespread cost cutting by the Minns government over cost blowouts.

According to the advice seen by the Telegraph, there is no evidence the Assistant Cross Border commissioner role was ever advertised before Ms Watts was appointed in January 2020.

That was six months after Mr Barilaro’s then-chief of staff Mark Connell forwarded Ms Watts’ CV to Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish, who was responsible for filling the job.

John Barilaro, left, Emma Watts, centre and Melinda Pavey, right. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

Mr Connell said he did not recall sending on the CV but if he did, it would have been at Mr Barilaro’s request.

Mr Barilaro was contacted for comment.

Ms Pavey’s then-chief of staff Jeff McCormack forwarded the CV a month later, in August 2019, according to the advice.

Ms Pavey declined to comment. Mr McCormack said that Ms Watts’ CV was never sent “in the knowledge of a specific role, salary or process, nor was a request made by me to employ her”.

The Assistant Cross Border Commissioner job was originally created as a temporary appointment, but Ms Watts was given the job permanently in August 2021.

There is no suggestion that Ms Watts is not qualified for the role.

Nationals president Kay Hull. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Nationals sources said that she – and the commissioner – have been vital to helping border communities during Covid lockdowns and border closures.

There are no requirements for temporary appointments to be advertised.

While no rules were broken, the new Minns government has raised questions about how Ms Watts was appointed to the high-paid job while sitting on the National Party’s management committee.

The appointment will now be examined by a parliamentary inquiry after Labor Minister John Graham called for it to be investigated.

The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty has ordered a full review of the Cross Border Commissioner’s office and spending.

At the time. National Party Federal President Kay Hull has said that Ms Watts’ appointment as assistant cross border commissioner had “absolutely nought to do” with her role in the Nationals

“There is nothing to hide … Emma Watts is an amazing woman and her position as Assistant Cross Border Commissioner in my view cannot be questioned,” she said earlier this month.