Trade Minister Stuart Ayres says he texted the former deputy premier John Barilaro a copy of the job advertisement for the New York trade commissioner role when it was advertised in December.
Mr Ayres has been under increasing pressure after documents released publicly to the parliament called into question his involvement in the recruitment process and whether he misled parliament.
"When we advertised this role in the Financial Review in December, I sent him a copy of the advertisement," Mr Ayres said today.
"He had contacted me about it, I made it clear to him he would need to apply as a private citizen and go through an independent, open and transparent process.
"I don't think sending him a copy of the ad is anything untoward other than showing him how he can apply as a private citizen."
When asked whether he had texted a copy of the advertisement to any other candidate, Mr Ayres said he had not.
Mr Ayres has insisted the appointment of John Barilaro to the role was done "at arm's length" from the government.
"John Barilaro was not treated differently."
But a public service email chain released by the government suggests Mr Ayres was informed of the final two candidates in the application process before one was picked.
The email, which discusses the schedule for candidate interviews, says there should be 30 minutes set aside at the end of each interview to discuss recommendations for the Minister.
"Two candidates will then be submitted for his consideration," the email reads.
The Premier is continuing to express confidence in Mr Ayres, and the deputy leader said he would not be standing aside.
"I have no intention to stand aside. My strong view is that the NSW public service has conducted an appropriate recruitment process," he said.
In a lengthy statement on his Facebook page late yesterday, Mr Ayres defended his actions over the recruitment process.
He said he and Mr Barilaro were not close friends and he described his actions as being driven by his desire to "put the people of NSW first".
"While I respected Mr Barilaro in his role as deputy premier, leader of National Party and his passionate (and at times excessive) advocacy of regional NSW, I don't think we ever called each other close friends", he said.
"In fact, I can't think of one time in the 11 years we were both in parliament together that we shared a meal or a beer together outside of a work function.
"Every action I have taken has been to remove politics from the recruitment of these roles and put the people of NSW first."
Mr Ayres's involvement came under increased scrutiny on Friday after an email sent by Investment NSW chief executive Amy Brown came to light.
The email stated Mr Ayres had added a name to the shortlist for the position.
The name was not Mr Barilaro's, but the email was released on the same day Mr Ayres declared the recruitment process was separated from the government.
Secret government documents relating to Mr Barilaro's appointment released this morning suggest there was another candidate recommended ahead of him, at some stage during the recruitment process.
Last week, the government agreed to stop the documents being deemed privileged, after the opposition fought to have them released into the public domain.
Mr Barilaro is no longer taking the job and next Monday will front a parliamentary inquiry investigating the matter.
