A 2021 selection panel for the New York posting shortlisted four candidates for the role,with reports suggesting a senior NSW bureaucrat was even offered the job before it was rescinded later that year.
The selection panel report for the New York role,obtained under parliamentary order,reveals the names and interview scores of four candidates who interviewed for the role in July last year.
Perrottet on Wednesday insisted the decision to appoint Barilaro was made through an independent process in the public sector.
“I don’t believe it is uncommon for ambassador roles,trade commissioner roles to be filled by previous politicians and particularly ones who have served with distinction in senior roles. That’s something that’s happened throughout the history of time,” he said.
“I’m still unaware of what the substantive issue here is.”
TheHerald on Tuesday revealed the government had shortlisted candidates for the job of US trade commissioner in May last year,but the role was ultimately readvertised and handed to Barilaro,months after his October resignation from parliament.
Perrottet said he had sought further advice over the process to appoint Barilaro to the role,and told ABC radio:“If there were not good reasons behind the decision,I’ll take action.”