The premier said an excerpt of the independent review he received late on Tuesday raised a concern about Ayres’ conduct in the recruitment of Barilaro to the plum New York trade post.
“Information that has come to light in the review clearly demonstrates the process was not at arm’s length,” he said.
Ayres released a statement on Wednesday morning,insisting he had always acted in accordance with his obligations,but expressing a wish to “maintain the integrity of the cabinet”.
“Last night,I read a section of the independent review being conducted by Graeme Head. This section is relevant to my role as minister,” he said. “In my view,no such breach has occurred. However,I agree it is important that this matter is investigated appropriately and support the premier’s decision to do so.”
Ayres held a number of portfolios. He was the minister for enterprise,investment and trade,the minister for tourism and sport and the minister for western Sydney. He will remain in parliament as the member for Penrith.
Ayres is the second minister to be forced from cabinet in a horror week for the Perrottet government,after fair trading minister Eleni Petinos was sacked over bullying allegations. She has rejected the allegations.
The premier on Wednesday said issues in the review “go directly to the engagement of Mr Ayres with a department secretary in respect to the recruitment process”.