John Barilaro says an inquiry probing his appointment to a taxpayer-funded US trade role has failed to produce any evidence of misconduct and vindicated him as the best man for the job.
The defiant former deputy NSW premier questioned the committee probing his appointment to the $500,000-a-year New York role over whether it had uncovered anything that challenged the integrity of the hiring process.
During one heated exchange with committee chair Cate Faehrmann, the former deputy premier asked: "What did I do wrong?"
His controversial appointment has engulfed the Perrottet government since it was announced in June.
A draft review suggesting he might have intervened in the hiring process has already forced Stuart Ayres' resignation as a minister and deputy Liberal leader.
"There's no evidence in this hearing that points to me that I did seek, sought, pressured, public servants in any way. None. Zero," Mr Barilaro said Monday.
"If anything you have heard from apolitical public servants ... who said that I was capable, and a credible candidate, that I would be good at the job.
"They're the ones who offered me the job.
"What did I do wrong? I got offered a job, I accepted the job."
However, the former Nationals leader says he now regrets applying for the role he resigned from two weeks after his appointment was announced in June.
"If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have walked into what was a s**tshow," he said.
He said he consulted Treasurer Matt Kean, Premier Dominic Perrottet, and Mr Ayres about his ambitions.
No colleagues warned him applying could cause political issues - many people offered their support, Mr Barilaro said.
He agreed other candidates would not have had the same access to the premier or ministers as he did.
He also addressed claims from his ex-chief of staff Mark Connell, who told the inquiry Mr Barilaro wanted the New York job in 2019.
The former MP called Mr Connell's account false and fictitious, and questioned details in his account, including whether certain meetings had occurred.
Mr Barilaro denied knowing public servant Jenny West had been the successful candidate ten months before his appointment, saying a document confirming her selection only contained his digital signature.
He said he may have directed staff to sign the document for him.
Mr Barilaro told the inquiry former premier Barry O'Farrell was one of three high-profile referees on his job application, along with Department of Regional NSW secretary Gary Barnes and Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos.
But he rejected suggestions his prominent referees could have been "a key factor" in him getting the role.
The former Nationals leader said Mr O'Farrell had been a big supporter of his for more than a decade.
"He is a dear friend and I sent him a message and he offered to be my referee, it is as simple as that," he told the inquiry on Monday.
Mr Barilaro said Premier Dominic Perrottet also supported his bid for the role after he flagged his interest in November, one month after announcing his intention to resign from politics.
"He was just like, 'great', and that was it," Mr Barilaro said.
The inquiry later revealed Mr Barilaro's former senior media adviser Jennifer Lugsdin went on to briefly work at Investment NSW and is now his girlfriend.
Mr Barilaro said she stopped working for the agency in December, before he applied for the role in January.
Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown, who appointed Mr Barilaro and was appearing for a third time at the hearing, reiterating her contact with him was limited to a Microsoft Teams meeting and three phone calls.
On one of those calls, he sought information about the role Ms Lugsdin ended up filling.
Ms Brown said she was only aware of a professional relationship between the pair.
Media reports prompted concerns in December and a conflict of interest report was requested from the contracting company, Ms Brown said.
"We don't actually have records of that happening, most likely because we finished up her employment with us ... days after," she said.
Mr Barilaro will return for further evidence on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
