Previously secret documents reveal Agent General Stephen Cartwright’s million dollar lifestyle

A confidential report released to parliament has revealed public servant Stephen Cartwright had a lifestyle fit for a $850,0000 to $1m salary. See the documents.

A former business lobbyist who was given a plum trade role in London told government recruiters he had “built a lifestyle” suited to the high-priced salary packages he was used to.

NSW’s London Agent General Stephen Cartwright told recruiters who screened him for the sought-after role that “in his previous roles his remuneration has been $850k to $lm+ and he has built a lifestyle and commitments commensurate with that level of remuneration,” documents released to parliament show.

It can also be revealed that Mr Cartwright began discussing remuneration for the London job just a day after he was interviewed for the role by a recruitment panel.

Documents released to parliament reveal that Mr Cartwright was interviewed by a recruitment panel on March 30.

A parliamentary inquiry has previously heard that Mr Cartwright sent an email to the Managing Partner at recruiter NGS Global about his salary package “around March 31”.

Stephen Cartwright was appointed the Agent General to London. Picture: Supplied

Mr Cartwright also put “a long list of 40 questions” focused on reporting lines, housing, allowances and financial support for his family, according to a confidential candidate profile from recruiter NGS global.

“He indicated that his level of interest in the role would depend on the nature of support (financial and otherwise) available to him. He has a long list of 40 questions focused on reporting lines, availability of housing (and living away from home allowance possibilities) and other financial arrangements to support his family’s move to London,” the report said.

Previously secret documents released to parliament revealed Agent General Stephen Cartwright’s million dollar lifestyle.

The report was from recruiter NGS Global.

“Answers to each of these questions will help him decide on his level of interest in the role, considering the disruption and relocation involved in accepting this role.”

The report was submitted on February 2021 — before he was interviewed by a recruitment panel and while a second candidate was undergoing contract negotiations for the same role.

The documents were provided to NSW Treasury as Investment NSW — the agency that later took over recruitment — did not exist at the time.

Shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey questioned the choice to appoint Mr Cartwright to the role. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mr Cartwright’s appointment has come under scrutiny in a parliamentary inquiry that also looked at the appointment of former Deputy Premier John Barilaro as the trade commissioner to New York.

Labor finance spokesman Daniel Mookhey said it was unclear why the government chose Mr Cartwright over a second candidate who was not asking for more money.

“It’s no surprise that Mr Cartwright was going to play hardball about his remuneration. It is surprising the government was willing to bend to so many of his demands,” he said.

“We had a preferred candidate. He had superb qualifications. He was willing to do the job for a lot less money. Yet he was shunned aside. And the government is yet to explain why.”

Mr Cartwright and Investment NSW were contacted for a response.