Liberal minister signed off on alternative candidate to NY trade job later given to John Barilaro, documents reveal

Document shows Stuart Ayres signed briefing confirming appointment of Jenny West to New York trade commissioner role

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The deputy Liberal party leader, Stuart Ayres, signed a briefing confirming the appointment of public servant and businesswoman Jenny West to a New York trade commissioner job which was later given to the former New South Wales deputy premier John Barilaro.

New documents released through parliament showed that in August last year Ayres, the minister for jobs, investment, tourism and western Sydney, was sent a brief from Investment NSW, the department responsible for the appointments, confirming that a full recruitment process" had decided on West as the successful candidate".