Advisers to John Barilaro to be called to give evidence at inquiry into New York trade job

The NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet, denies he misled parliament when he said ‘no suitable candidate’ was initially found for the NY trade job which went to John Barilaro. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Two of John Barilaro’s former advisers will be called to give evidence at an inquiry into the former deputy premier’s appointment to a $500,000-a-year New York trade job, amid mounting pressure on the government to release hundreds of documents related to the posting.

News of the appearances comes as the New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, said reports a senior bureaucrat described the trade job as a “present for someone” were concerning, while denying he misled parliament over the saga.