A rift has emerged between the NSW Premier and Treasurer on the eve of the state election, over Dominic Perrottet’s attempts to mask his ties to the scandal that felled his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian.

Former NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s appointment to a plumb New York role represented a “jobs for the boys position”.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is refusing to stand by the legality of a $5.5 million grant he made following an “intervention” by Gladys Berejiklian and heavy lobbying by Daryl Maguire.