Barry O’Farrell revealed as John Barilaro’s mystery third referee for $500,000 New York trade post

The surprising third referee for John Barilaro’s application for a $500,000-a-year New York trade post has been revealed after their identity was kept a secret.

John Barilaro during the inquiry into the appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

Former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell was the mystery third referee for John Barilaro’s application for a $500,000 a year New York trade post.

News.com.au has confirmed that Mr O’Farrell, who now serves as the High Commissioner to India was the individual who provided the “highly influential” reference.

Mr O’Farrell has told colleagues that he was asked to provide a reference and did so as requested.

News.com.au has contacted Mr O’Farell for comment in India but he said he was unable to comment due to his diplomatic role.

As the scandal continues to engulf the Perrottet government, Mr Barilaro repeatedly resisted disclosing the mystery “third referee” on Monday.

Two of the referees have been revealed previously: Australian ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos, and Regional NSW secretary Gary Barnes.

But Mr Barilaro would not reveal who the third referee was.

“I won’t be disclosing that. I shouldn’t have to,” he said.

“All referees are highly influential. I put him down as referees. I won’t be answering that.”

John Barilaro during the inquiry into the appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

The committee chair warned him he might be compelled to answer the question at a later date.

The members then agreed with Mr Barilaro to give him a chance to discuss the matter with the referee during the lunch break before deciding on whether to answer the question.

Former New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell resigned in 2014 owing to a “massive memory fail” when giving evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Mr O’Farrell denied receiving a $3,000 bottle of wine in 2011 from Australian Water Holdings (AWH) executive Nick Di Girolamo.

After the lunch break, Mr Barilaro confirmed after speaking to Mr O’Farrell that he was the mystery referee he had declined to name previously.

“I’ve been lucky enough in my life journey to have met some wonderful people,’’ he said.

“Barry O’Farrell, knew, and knows my ability and capacity and capability. He’s been a supporter and a friend. I asked him if he’d be a referee. And that’s the end of that.”

The inquiry has previously conceded he also had an informal reference from then minister Stuart Ayres.

“And my third referee was the former Premier of New South Wales, the honourable Barry O’Farrell,’’ he said.

“He was one of the reasons I got into politics. I see him not only as the former Premier of this state, but a dear friend.”

Former NSW premier Barry O'Farrell (left, pictured with James Packer at an event in 2013) has been revealed as Mr Barilaro’s third mystery referee. Picture: Andrew Quilty

Mr Barilaro has today described the political fallout from the selection process for the top job as “a sh*tshow” today as he gave evidence to NSW Parliament.

The saga has already triggered the resignation of deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres who oversaw the selection process, prompting a race between Transport Minister David Elliott and Treasurer Matt Kean for the deputy’s job.

He said Premier Dominic Perrottet told him to “go for it” during a conversation about the former NSW deputy premier’s desire to apply for a job as New York trade envoy.

The conversation occurred after the pair bumped into each other at Sydney’s Martin Place in January or early February this year.

“This was an independent process, a public service job. There is no exclusion of a former member of parliament applying for a public service job,” he said.

“In my mind, in one way, it guaranteed cover (and) would make it easier to justify such a role. It would have been the opposite if they had proceeded with the statutory appointments.

Mr Barilaro has said he regrets applying for the New York trade role because the fallout from his appointment created personal difficulties for him.

“If I knew what I know now, I wish I never had applied,” Mr Barilaro said.

“If I knew what I knew now, I wouldn’t have walked into this s**t show.

“I’m going to use those terms, I’m sorry to say, because the trauma I’ve gone through over the last six to seven weeks has been significant.”