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Texts released in Barilaro probe reveal Premier ‘comfortable’ with hiring him for NY role

Anton NilssonNCA NewsWire
John Barilaro has denied doing anything wrong in relation to his application to be . Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire
Camera IconJohn Barilaro has denied doing anything wrong in relation to his application to be . Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire Credit: News Corp Australia

An independent review into the hiring of John Barilaro as New York trade envoy is overdue and has cost taxpayers more than $80,000, new documents have revealed.

Opposition MPs have secured the release of a new trove of papers from the state government as they continue to probe the former deputy premier’s appointment to the plum US job.

The documents gave insight into an independent review, called for by Mr Perrottet and performed by former public service commissioner Graeme Head.

Department documents revealed that the probe was meant to go from June 25 to July 15 this year at a taxpayer cost of $73,500, plus $7350 in GST.

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BARILARO INQUIRY
Camera IconJohn Barilaro has denied doing anything wrong in relation to his application to be . Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire Credit: News Corp Australia

The NSW Premier, who has said he’ll make public the findings when he gets them, last week asked his trade minister to resign after a draft finding from Mr Head indicated he may have violated the rule book for ministers.

The former minister, Stuart Ayres, has denied wrongdoing.

His resignation was followed by the launch of yet another independent review, the cost of which has not been made public.

The new review, headed by senior barrister Bruce McClintock SC, will look into whether Mr Ayres complied with the ministerial code of conduct.

The new documents, released as part of a third probe – conducted by MPs – also reveal Ms Brown was interviewed by Mr Head on July 11.

Other documents revealed the department boss who appointed Mr Barilaro as New York trade envoy said she was only “technically” responsible for the hire in a private text message to a colleague.

Opposition MPs on the committee investigating the matter believe the message raises fresh questions about the appointment process.

Another text exchange includes a message sent to Mr Barilaro congratulating him on getting the job, while a different text said Premier Dominic Perrottet felt “comfortable” with the appointment in May.

Text messages between senior public servants have been released as part of the inquiry into John Barilaro's appointment as trade envoy to New York.
Camera IconText messages between senior public servants have been released as part of the inquiry into John Barilaro's appointment as trade envoy to New York. Credit: Supplied

Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown texted the state’s top public servant, Michael Coutts-Trotter, to let him know in late June there would be an inquiry into the hire.

“This isn’t great,” she wrote on June 20.

“No, but utterly predictable,” Mr Coutts-Trotter replied.

Ms Brown wrote in a second message the two would need to talk more about the inquiry.

“We should talk it through once I’ve pulled everything together,” she said.

“Technically it was my decision.”

Ms Brown has previously told the inquiry the decision to hire Mr Barilaro was hers, including when responding to questions about what influence former trade minister Stuart Ayres had on her thinking.

“Any conversations I had with minister Ayres were, to a degree, influential on my decision but, in my view, it did not amount to undue influence because at all times, I felt the decision was mine, ultimately mine to make,” she said last week.

Text messages between senior public servants have been released as part of the inquiry into John Barilaro's appointment as trade envoy to New York.
Camera IconJohn Barilaro was congratulated on the appointment on May 23. Credit: Supplied

The new text messages also include one sent by Ms Brown to Mr Coutts-Trotter on May 6, before Mr Barilaro’s appointment became public.

“FYI – I’ve been told that Premier and (deputy premier Paul Toole) are comfortable with the appointment of Barilaro as STIC to the Americas, and requested to get on with formalising the arrangements (which I’ll do),” she wrote.

“Righto,” Mr Coutts-Trotter replied.

STIC is short for senior trade and investment commissioner, the formal title of the role Mr Barilaro would have performed, had he not decided to give up the job due to public outrage.

Mr Perrottet acknowledged on Tuesday the hiring process had been “flawed and disappointing”.

Another text exchange showed the message Ms Brown’s colleague, Kylie Bell, sent to Mr Barilaro on May 23, addressing him as “DP” and congratulating him on his successful application.

“Dear DP this is Kylie Bell,” the text began.

“Texting to say congrats and we’re thrilled you are our STIC for Americas.

“Checking if there is a time I can call with our HR team to get out a contract organised and get cracking. Cheers KB.”

“Thank you Kylie,” Mr Barilaro responded.

“Just give me a time that works and I’ll work around it. John.”

Originally published as Texts released in Barilaro probe reveal Premier ‘comfortable’ with hiring him for NY role

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