‘Offensive:’ Trade minister insists he never called US role a ‘present’

Trade Minister Stuart Ayres has fiercely denied he played any role in the recruitment of John Barilaro for US trade commissioner as the fallout over the now-defunct role escalated on the second day of a parliamentary inquiry.

Ayres issued a statement following the explosive evidence of former Investment NSW deputy secretary Jenny West that she had lost the role in October because it was going to “be a present for someone” instead.

The extraordinary claim was recorded by West in a contemporaneous file note recounting a conversation she had with Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown, which she immediately sent to her lawyers.

At the time Ayres had taken over the trade portfolio from Barilaro, following his resignation and the dissolution of the Berejiklian government.

West wrote that Brown said she had spoken to Ayres “and he has confirmed that you will not be getting the Americas role. It will be a present for someone. There will not be a role in New York for you.”

The note also said the deputy secretary role West held at the time would not exist in the new structure.

West told the hearing she was shocked at the claim the role would be “a present,” adding that she took notes because it was an unusual turn of phrase.

Opposition treasury spokesman Daniel Mookhey asked West if she believed it was a decision of Brown, Ayres or both.

She replied: “I’m not sure on that.”

Mookhey: “But it’s clear that in relating this decision to you, Miss Brown was referring to a conversation that she had had with Minister Ayres?”

West: “Correct.”

None of the claims made by West have been put to Brown. However, the committee has welcomed any contemporaneous records or further evidence she would like to give.

Ayres on Monday afternoon said he categorically rejected any suggestion he exerted political influence on the recruitment process for the US trade role.

“I did not say the job was to be a ‘present’ for anyone and I find that idea to be offensive,” he said in a statement.

Ayres said all actions he had taken were to ensure the independence of the public service, referring to his move to overrule a cabinet decision to maintain overseas trade commissioners as public service appointments.

“Amy Brown is and was the decision maker for this role. Her evidence has been clear and consistent that this is a decision for the secretary and one I did not influence,” Ayres said.

“Minister Ayres has some very, very serious questions to answer about his knowledge of these matters.”

Opposition Treasury spokesman Daniel Mookhey

A spokeswoman for Premier Dominic Perrottet referred all questions to Investment NSW, but insisted Brown had repeatedly advised there was no suitable candidate in the first round of recruitment.

NSW Labor seized on West’s evidence on Monday, calling for Brown to be stood down pending a further investigation into the matter while suggesting Ayres could face a similar fate.

“Minister Ayres has some very, very serious questions to answer about his knowledge of these matters. And it is open to the premier to take that as a cause of action,” Mookhey said following the hearing.

Investment NSW did not respond to questions on behalf of Brown. An Investment NSW spokesman said it was not appropriate to comment while the agency was assisting with two separate reviews of the recruitment process.

Leader of the opposition in the upper house Penny Sharpe said West’s experience was “a stain on the NSW government” that the committee would continue to pursue vigorously.

“People must be appointed in transparent processes that are full of integrity, and where the best person for the job ends up with the job,” she said.

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