Key Points
- Stuart Ayres has resigned as NSW trade minister because he may have breached the ministerial code of conduct.
- The breach relates to the appointment of former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro to a US trade job earlier this year.
The resignation of Stuart Ayres as NSW trade minister and deputy Liberal leader has prompted a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Ayres' departure comes after a draft review into the John Barilaro US job scandal found he may have breached the ministerial code of conduct.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said his resignation follows a briefing he received from the Department of Premier and Cabinet on Tuesday.
The draft report "raised a concern as to whether Mr Ayres had complied with the ministerial code of conduct", the premier said on Wednesday.
"When I put these matters to Mr Ayres, he offered his resignation from the ministry and as deputy leader Parliamentary Liberal Party," he said.
"An investigation will now be undertaken to determine if Mr Ayres has breached the ministerial code of conduct," he said.
The appointment of the former NSW deputy premier and Nationals leader to a US trade job earlier this year has been an escalating scandal for the government for nearly two months.
The recruitment process is also the subject of a NSW parliamentary inquiry which resumes on Wednesday, with Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown to give evidence.
Ayres' portfolios redistributed
On Tuesday evening, Mr Perrottet announced three NSW ministers would take on portfolios previously handled by the Penrith MP, beginning from Friday.
Alister Henskens, the current minister for Skills and Training, Science, Innovation and Technology, will pick up Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Sport.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Arts and Regional Youth Ben Franklin will take on the Tourism Portfolio.
Meanwhile, Transport and Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott will pick up the Western Sydney portfolio.
"These ministers have a proven track record of serving the people of NSW and I have full confidence that they have the experience to take on these additional responsibilities," Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Ayres' resignation comes just days after former fair trading minister Eleni Petinos was sacked by the premier over allegations of bullying within her office.
It was previously announced Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello will assume Ms Petinos' portfolio responsibilities.
Mr Ayres and Ms Petinos have both denied any wrongdoing.
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