The papers have been released as part of the parliamentary inquiry into how former deputy premier John Barilaro was then appointed to the lucrative $500,000-a-year role.
Despite the August 2021 document showing Ayres was aware of West’s selection,the minister has repeatedly told parliament and the public that the first recruitment process for the New York-based trade role did not find an appropriate candidate.
“It is important to recognise that at the end of the first round of recruitment there was no suitable candidate identified,” Ayres told the legislative assembly on June 22 this year.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon,Ayres said the brief did not seek a decision from him nor represent the end of the recruitment process.
“That could only be determined by the CEO of Investment NSW as this is a public service appointment,” he said.
“This is consistent with testimony provided by the Investment NSW CEO and general-counsel to the Public Accountability Committee and the information I provided to the Legislative Assembly during question time.”