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The recent appointment of former NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro to a plum US trade position may be put on halt.

Mr Barilaro was handed the job of US Trade Commissioner after a candidate shortlist was scrapped and the position re-advertised.

Now, a Parliamentary inquiry into the appointment of the former Deputy Premier to the high-paid overseas job will begin next week.

The public accountability committee has settled on terms of reference for its inquiry into John Barilaro’s appointment as the state’s trade commissioner.

Premier Dominic Perrottet’s department chief is also reviewing the matter.

On October 3, Investment NSW advised a global recruiter, their services were no longer required.

An email from Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown says the role would now be an ‘internal matter’ and decided by ‘ministerial appointment’.

According to the Guardian, the next day, Mr Barilaro announced his resignation.

“Someone is lying,” Ben said.

“The Premier says: ‘A recruitment process was undertaken by Investment NSW with a global recruiting company that made a recommendation’, but you also have Investment NSW saying that at the last minute, it was a Ministerial appointment”.

“It doesn’t stack up,” Ben added.

“There are landmines all over the place.”

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