After months of examination and a dozen public hearings, a report is due to be handed down analysing how former NSW deputy premier and member for Monaro John Barilaro landed a high paying overseas trade role.
The findings, which are expected about 10.30am on Monday, will be made public after a magistrate dismissed an unrelated assault charge against the one time Nationals leader on Friday, on mental health grounds.
That matter, to which he had pleaded not guilty, stemmed from an altercation with a TV cameraman outside a Manly restaurant in July last year.
By that stage, Mr Barilaro’s appointment as the state’s trade commissioner in New York City had become an ongoing scandal for the government and he eventually resigned, citing intense media pressure.
He denies any wrongdoing and told the inquiry in August evidence given had vindicated him as being up to the job.
“There’s no evidence in this hearing that points to me that I did seek, sought, pressured, public servants in any way. None. Zero,” he said.
“If anything you have heard from apolitical public servants … who said that I was capable, and a credible candidate, that I would be good at the job.”
He said he regretted applying for the role after it resulted in a political maelstrom.
A separate government-led investigation into the appointment led Penrith MP and frontbencher Stuart Ayres to resign as trade minister and deputy Liberal leader.
It came over concerns Mr Ayres had breached the ministerial code of conduct with his involvement in the hiring process. He was later cleared of legal wrongdoing.
The former secretary of Investment NSW Amy Brown was also sacked over the scandal, after the same government-led review found she had been indirectly influenced to preference Mr Barilaro for the job.
The upper house inquiry was formed hastily after the government announced Mr Barilaro’s role and has since held 12 public hearings.
One candidate initially considered for the New York role, Jenny West, said her offer was rescinded after she received a briefing note assuring her of her position, signed by former premier Gladys Berejiklian.
She told the inquiry Ms Brown told her the job would be a “present for someone”.
This claim was disputed by Ms Brown, who said the offer was withdrawn after communication broke down between Ms West and the government.
One member of the selection panel involved in appointing Mr Barilaro told the inquiry there was an unconscious bias against him and she endorsed him based on his skills and experience.
“I feel like there was a bit of an unconscious bias against (Mr Barilaro) if I’m honest,” Investment NSW managing director Kylie Bell said.
The inquiry also heard the state’s agent-general to London Stephen Cartwright negotiated his salary package up to $600,000, after being shocked by the cost of living in the UK.
The revelations came after the scope of the inquiry was later broadened to analyse the appointment of all the state’s trade commissioners.
By Phoebe Loomes in Sydney
