John Barilaro approached former NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay about trade role in India

Exclusive: The NSW government has insisted the public service, not ministers, were responsible for the appointments

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John Barilaro personally approached former New South Wales Labor leader Jodi McKay about a trade commissioner job in India, raising further questions about the role senior ministers in the government have played in the appointment process for the controversial $500,000-a-year roles.

Barilaro, whose recent appointment as New York trade commissioner has become embroiled in controversy, was still NSW deputy premier when he sounded out McKay last year about her interest in the India role, the Guardian understands.

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