John Barilaro
Giovanni Domenic "John" Barilaro (Italian: [d͡ʒoˈvan.ni doˈme.nik ˈba.ri.la.ro]; born 14 November 1971) is an Australian former politician who served as the 18th deputy premier of New South Wales and the leader of the NSW National Party from 2016 to 2021. He was the Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade in the second Berejiklian ministry from April 2019, and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electoral district of Monaro since 2011 until his resignation in October 2021.
John Barilaro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Barilaro in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18th Deputy Premier of New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 15 November 2016 – 6 October 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premier | Mike Baird Gladys Berejiklian Dominic Perrottet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Troy Grant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Paul Toole | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the National Party in New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 15 November 2016 – 6 October 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premier | Mike Baird Gladys Berejiklian Dominic Perrottet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Niall Blair Paul Toole | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Troy Grant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Paul Toole | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Monaro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 26 March 2011 – 31 December 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Steve Whan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Nichole Overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Majority | 11.61% (2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Giovanni Domenic Barilaro 14 November 1971 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | National | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Deanna Barilaro (c. 1995–2021) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3 (f) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence(s) | Jerrabomberra, New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Small business owner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Barilaro previously served as the Minister for Regional Development (later renamed Minister for Regional New South Wales), Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Skills in the first Berejiklian and second Baird governments, from October 2014 until March 2019; and as the Minister for Regional Tourism in the first Baird government. In October 2021, he announced his resignation as Deputy Premier, Leader of the National Party and member for Monaro, saying it was "the right time for me to hand the reins over".
He is also known for Barilaro v Shanks-Markovina, a defamation lawsuit brought against Jordan Shanks for Shanks' YouTube channel friendlyjordies, and Google as the publisher of the videos, as well as referring Shanks and a producer to the NSW Police Fixated Persons Unit, causing the producer, Kristo Langker, to be arrested on charges of stalking that were ultimately dismissed in March 2022. The defamation lawsuit resulted in Shanks making an apology to Barilaro in 2021 along with editing some parts of the videos, while Google was ordered to pay him $715,000 in damages.
His attempt at a post-political career as the New South Wales trade commissioner to the United States resulted in a political scandal for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, after a series of embarrassing disclosures over Barilaro's creation of the highly paid role prior to his departure from Parliament, and the role of NSW Government ministers and public servants in the process. That process saw the originally successful applicant fired from her public service job. An additional round of applications began, Barilaro was the second ranked candidate prior to discussions with his CV references. He ultimately won the job and had his position confirmed but the scandal erupted in the middle of 2022 and he quit prior to moving to New York. The issue was referred to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, and minister Stuart Ayres resigned from his cabinet role over the matter. He attacked a cameraman in 2022; however, in February 2023, he was found not guilty due to mental illness.