criticised the government’s “poorly designed” salary package as he appeared before an upper house probe into the state’s trade commissioner positions for the second time on Tuesday,alongside Premier Dominic Perrottet’s chief-of-staff Bran Black.
The upper house inquiry was launched in June following former deputy premier John Barilaro’s appointment to the New York trade role,from which he later withdrew amid widespread criticism.
It is now focused on the agent-general role after it emerged that Cartwright,the former head of lobby group Business NSW,was added to the hiring process late by Barilaro and eventually. He a $600,000 package – higher than any other trade commissioner.
New documents released to the upper house indicate Ayres gave department staff approval for Cartwright’s rent and school fees to be covered by the government - a decision Labor’s treasury spokesman Daniel Mookhey said amounted to “a benefit that is worth $112,000 plus per year in tax saving”.
In a letter from Cartwright addressed to then-department secretary Amy Brown on June 16 this year,he told her she would “recall that the minister was very clear that school fees could be dealt with the same way as we are dealing with the rent”.
“I have been reassured by[Investment NSW managing director] Kylie[Bell] that the minister did,in fact,approve this,so if my family do permanently relocate we can do another similar variation agreement to cover the fees once the quantum of the fees are known.
“Thank you for securing the minister’s approval of the variation.”
Cartwright said on Tuesday he had been “horrified” by the cost of living in London and assumed based on his conversations with Barilaro that the government would cover rent and school fees.
Cartwright said his email reflected his understanding that Ayres’ approval had been gained,and that he had no reason to believe the accounts of department staff were not true.
However,when contacted for comment by theHerald,Ayres said:“I can confirm I did no such thing”.
“As minister I had no power to determine a salary package. This was entirely the responsibility of the department.”
The former trade minister and was investigated by barrister Bruce McClintock,SC,over his involvement in Barilaro’s appointment to the New York-based trade role. McClintock has since,paving the way for the Penrith MP’s return to cabinet.
Labor MP John Graham on Tuesday pressed Black,the first member of the premier’s office to appear before the inquiry,on whether Perrottet’s cabinet colleagues were concerned “that the same issues that were raised with minister Ayres’ involvement could have been raised about the premier”.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment on private discussions between myself and members of my team or indeed with the premier,” Black said. “But what I can say is – and this is a matter within my own knowledge – I am not aware of any attempt to influence the process.”
Graham asked Black about for the London role.
Graham:“Would you have expected a shortlist such as this to be emailed straight through to the treasurer?”
Black:“No.”
Graham:“It would have been unusual for that to occur?”
Black:“Very much so.”
However,Black said he did not recall having any conversations about the shortlist,nor did he recall when he found out that previous frontrunning candidate Paul Webster had been replaced with Cartwright.
He also did not recall discussing a for the trade roles,nor a as the successful New York candidate being brought to his attention.
“There is a lot of you ‘haven’t recalled’ in the process today. You would have used that phrase about 100 times,” Graham said.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights..