Text exchanges indicate public employees’ responses to John Barilaro’s appointment to a top US trade job.
Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown sent colleagues a news item about a legislative investigation into how Mr. Barilaro obtained the job of senior trade commissioner to the Americas.
June 20: “This isn’t fantastic.”
Premier and Cabinet Secretary Michael Coutts Trotter said, “No, but completely predictable.”
Ms Brown texted, ‘Let’s chat after I’ve gathered everything. My choice, technically.
Kate Meagher, Deputy Secretary for Community Engagement at Premier and Cabinet, said she’d assist Amy.
Mr. Coutts-Trotter said, “Of course.”
Texts released as part of an upper house examination into Mr. Barilaro’s hiring.
Ms. Brown said she appointed Mr. Barilaro during three upper house hearings.
She admitted being persuaded by the government’s desire to make the positions ministerial.
Ms Brown contacted Mr Coutts-Trotter in May, a month before Mr Barilaro’s employment, to let him know she had Premier Dominic Perrottet’s OK to continue.
Premier and DP (Deputy Premier Paul Toole) are happy with Barilaro’s appointment, therefore I’ll formalise it.
Ms. Brown said the panel she informed Mr. Coutts-Trotter she was apprehensive about the assignment.
Ms. Brown told the hearing last week, ‘He didn’t indicate what he was going to do necessarily.’
Mr. Coutts-Trotter was tasked with conducting a separate review of the premier’s hiring process, which is being performed by former public service commissioner Graeme Head.
Mr. Head gets paid $73,500 to oversee the probe, not counting fees.
Investment NSW Media Director Kristoff Clark texts Sophie Hull, who worked for former Investment Minister Stuart Ayres, about a June 17 media release announcing Mr. Barilaro’s appointment.
“Anyone upset?” Clark inquired on announcement day.
Ms. Hull said, “A bit, but it’s settled.”
Mr. Clark wondered who Yoni spoke with.
Who told Yoni? Ms. Hull said, “Probably Barra (Mr. Barilaro) personally.”
The men seem to be discussing a June 16 News Corp editorial by Yoni Bashan, which said Mr. Barilaro had resigned from Coronation Property.
The report was released before the government.
Investment NSW managing director Kylie Bell notified Mr. Barilaro on May 23.
“Congrats on becoming our STIC for Americas,” Ms. Bell texted.
Mr. Barilaro thanked Kylie.