Amy Brown in ‘formal discussions’ over Barilaro job role

The public servant who said she was “technically” responsible for appointing John Barilaro to a plum New York trade role is now the subject of “formal discussions” with NSW’s top bureaucrat.

The public servant who said she was “technically” responsible for appointing John Barilaro to a plum New York trade role is now the subject of “formal discussions” with NSW’s top bureaucrat, raising questions about whether she will continue in her role.

It comes after an independent review of Mr Barilaro’s appointment criticised Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade Secretary Amy Brown for failing to “fully disclose” key information during the process.

The review, conducted by former public service commissioner Graeme Head, recommended that Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter consider what action, if any, to take against Ms Brown.

In a statement, a DPC spokesman said that Mr Coutts-Trotter “has commenced formal discussions with Ms Brown in relation to the findings of the Head Review”.

“That process has been paused for four weeks as Ms Brown has taken leave following the intense public examination of her role in the STIC Americas recruitment process.”

Amy Brown gives evidence during the inquiry into the appointment of John Barilaro as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas. Picture: Newswire

“It would not be appropriate for DPC to comment further at this time on any actions the DPC secretary may take in relation to the findings of the Head Review,” the statement said.

Ms Brown is due to return from leave on September 12, meaning she will skip a previously-planned appearance at budget estimates on Thursday.

Upper House MPs were only given 48 hours’ notice that Ms Brown would be unavailable for Thursday’s hearing.

Ms Brown will also no longer serve as the Investment NSW CEO, after a restructure in the department made separated the two roles.

An Investment NSW spokesman said Ms Brown had separated her two roles on August 11.

“Amy Brown, as Secretary, made the decision to separate the roles on 11 August 2022. These roles have been separated to allow the Secretary to focus on a cluster leadership role and an Investment NSW CEO to focus on the core activities of investment attraction,” they said.

“Amy Brown is currently on leave, with Lisa Braid performing the role of Acting Secretary and Katie Knight as Interim CEO of Investment NSW.”