Former adviser tells inquiry John Barilaro expedited change to New York trade job

An inquiry into John Barilaro’s appointment to a New York trade role has heard he sought urgent changes to the position in the weeks before quitting parliament. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Former New South Wales deputy premier John Barilaro fast-tracked a cabinet submission to turn the senior trade jobs now at the centre of a political scandal into ministerial appointments, instructing a staff member to get it done “ASAP”, an inquiry has heard.

A transcript of evidence given by former adviser Joseph Brayford to the parliamentary inquiry probing Barilaro’s appointment to a $500,000-a-year New York trade posting also suggests Barilaro planned to discuss the change with his ministerial colleagues in the NSW government.