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The decision by a senior minister to appoint one of his colleagues to a comfortable, well-paid position in which a female executive was already identified as the best candidate has been criticized as yet another example of the government’s “boys’ jobs”. Labour Party.

Trade Minister Don Farrell appointed his friend Chris Ketter to the prestigious role of Senior Commissioner for Trade and Investment and Consul General of Australia in San Francisco on July 7.

Kirstyn Thomson, head of the Americas investment office at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), had been named as the “preferred candidate” for the role. The Australian revealed Thursday.

To make matters worse, Mr. Ketter reportedly never even applied for the position, and the formal recruitment process was canceled when Senator Farrell’s office selected his colleague for the advertised $250,000-a-year position, reported the Australian.

Mr Ketter is a former Labor senator who, after being ousted, took up a role in Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ office as a senior staffer. He considers Mr Farrell a close friend and ally.

Former Labor senator Mr Ketter (left, with fitness star Michelle Bridges) reportedly did not apply for the US job at all and has no experience in the field, but was nominated by his friend, Commerce Minister Don Farrell.

Kirstyn Thomson (pictured), head of the Americas investment office at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), had been named as the “preferred candidate” for the role.

The decision required approval from the Federal Cabinet, meaning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was aware of the appointment and signed it.

Greens senator Larissa Waters was scathing about the decision, telling reporters in Canberra that it “stinks, to put it bluntly”.

“The Australian people have voted to end this kind of ‘jobs for boys’ nonsense. They expect better from the Albanian government,” she said.

“Minister Farrell’s decision to install a former Labor colleague and senior executive in a role in the plum industry, instead of the woman selected after a rigorous recruitment process, simply does not pass the test of pub.”

Ms Thomson, who has two decades of experience in the business, appears to have harbored no ill will towards the decision, telling The Australian she subsequently landed a more suitable position.

This isn’t the first time Don Farrell has caused drama for Anthony Albanese.

Ahead of September’s grand final between Collingwood and Brisbane, it was revealed a newsworthy exchange took place between Farrell and football legend Dermott Brereton.

The Labor powerbroker stood at the front of the queue and demanded a selfie with him declaring he was “a minister”.

When asked where Don Darrell was a “w*nker”, the Hawthorn star replied: I don’t know him personally, but his behavior at this point suggests he might well know him.

Ms Thomson has led the Americas investment office at AusTrade since 2021, but has more than 20 years of experience in the sector, including in London and Myanmar, according to her LinkedIn page.

She was reportedly one of 50 people who applied for the position and was considered the preferred candidate.

Trade Minister Don Farrell (pictured) appointed his friend Chris Ketter as Senior Commissioner for Trade and Investment and Consul General of Australia in San Francisco on July 7.

The decision required approval from the Federal Cabinet, meaning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was aware of the appointment and signed it.

Meanwhile, Mr Ketter apparently did not apply for the position and has no experience in the field.

He worked as a union official in a role closely linked to Mr Farrell’s and used his first speech to Parliament after his election to the Senate in 2013 to thank Mr Farrell for his “friendship and support”.

He lost his Senate seat in the 2019 election and continued to work as a “senior advisor” to Mr. Marles.

Congratulating Mr Ketter on his appointment, Mr Farrell said he “brings extensive experience in government, as well as the defense industry and critical technologies sector, which will help strengthen the objectives AUKUS of Australia”.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Farrell for comment.