Jenny West, the woman first offered the New York trade commissioner job controversially given to former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro, has delivered some bombshell revelations at a parliamentary inquiry this week.
West revealed that after first being offered the $500,000 per year trade commissioner position in August last year, her job offer was rescinded when she was told the position would instead be a “present for someone”. It was later given to John Barilaro.
Jenny West, a former senior bureaucrat, said she had already begun plans to move her family to the United States – even contacting a removalist company – when her boss at Investment NSW, Amy Brown, told her that the NSW cabinet had endorsed a request for some senior trade commissioner roles to become political appointments.
In October, West was informed by Brown that she would not be getting the job as she had previously been advised.
“Ms Brown said that the position, and this is a quote, ‘will be a present for someone’,” West told a parliamentary inquiry on Monday.
“She added, and I again quote, ‘you are an extraordinary performer, and I am upset that this has happened’.'”
At the inquiry, West said that Brown had previously congratulated her on getting the job, and on August 12 sent her a text message that included celebratory emojis.
“She sent me a text message saying, ‘Congratulations, this is one to frame,’ and she had an emoji of a Statue of Liberty and a champagne bottle.”
West was also informed her job as deputy secretary of Investment NSW would be made redundant, rendering her effectively unemployed. There had never been any comments or complaints about her performance in that role.
John Barilaro has since withdrawn from the trade commissioner role, saying the large amount of media attention around the appointment process made it untenable for him to take the job.
It’s now been reported by the Sydney Morning Herald that NSW ICAC is considering whether it will launch an investigation into the appointment of Barilaro to the role.
Penny Sharpe, the leader of the opposition in the NSW upper house has said the evidence given at the inquiry points to something “rotten at its core”.
“The idea that these types of positions are being given out as presents to mates is something that the community hates,” she told 2GB.
“People must be appointed in transparent processes that are full of integrity, and where the best person for the job ends up with the job.”