“I will read the report,as I’ve said. I will then release it,” the premier said,noting that his chief of staff Bran Black has read the report by high-profile barrister Bruce McClintock,SC.
Ayres was forced to resign from cabinet and as deputy Liberal leader early last month after a separate review into Barilaro’s appointment to a New York trade role raised questions about Ayres’ role in the process.
That triggered the McClintock inquiry to determine whether or not Ayres breached the ministerial code of conduct.
Asked to rule out Ayres returning to cabinet,the premier said,“no,I’m not”,adding that he would make a decision “down the track”,once he had an opportunity to consider the McClintock report.
“I’m not going to have a running commentary on a hypothetical situation on a report I haven’t read,” he said.
“I’m not making any decisions,let me be very clear. There are no short-term decisions being made in relation to cabinet.”