The Wire

Trade Minister Don Farrell has been under scrutiny after he granted an US diplomatic job to a former Labor politician, overriding a decision to award a highly-qualified female candidate for the role.

Senator Farrell said Chris Ketter, who was appointed Australia’s consul-general and trade investment commissioner in San Francisco in July had wide experience in government, defense and technology. Labor MPs defended Farrell’s decision to award Ketter the role but the opposition spokesman Kevin Hogan likened it to the appointment of former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro to the role of state trade commissioner.