The position,which did not go to cabinet,was created by Barilaro when he was trade minister.
Several ministers have confirmed to theHeraldthat the position was not considered by cabinet,with two insisting that had it been presented to ministers,they would have blocked the appointment.
Backbenchers are also furious at the move,with one describing it as “appointments for mates”.
However,Perrottet has defended the appointment,saying that Barilaro emerged as the best candidate from a global recruitment process,at a cost to the government of $18,150.
“It doesn’t come as any surprise to me that the independent process that occurred that he was by far the most outstanding candidate and was recommended by that panel to the government,” Perrottet said on Saturday.
“I’m sure he will do a brilliant job,not only because he would probably help with the architecture of setting up Global NSW,but his strong advocacy for regional NSW and for our state because of the economic portfolios that he’s held.”
The former NSW Nationals leader threatened to blow up the Coalition in September 2020 over a koala planning policy. Theissue was resolved,and Barilaro did not follow through with his threats to take his party to the crossbench,but tensions remained between the Liberals and Nationals.