John Barilaro recommended his media adviser and later girlfriend Jennifer Lugsdin for a role at Investment NSW in August last year, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.
The inquiry into his controversial appointment as US trade commissioner – from which he has withdrawn – has turned its attention to Barilaro’s relationship with Lugsdin. Labor MP Penny Sharpe said the opposition would be introducing evidence on Friday that shows Lugsdin was involved in media releases advertising the New York trade role.
The inquiry heard Lugsdin was copied into an email thread on December 9 about advertising the US trade job, which was eight days before the public advertisement. Brown said the agency was “concerned” in December upon reading a speculative media report about Barilaro and Lugsdin’s relationship.