NSW Trade Minister Alister Henskens has refused to vouch for his department secretary Amy Brown, days after she relinquished her role at Investment NSW and went on leave.
In a testy exchange with One Nation MP Mark Latham, the minister refused to declare his confidence in Ms Brown.
"I'm not responsible for the employment functions of Amy Brown," Mr Henskens said during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday.
Ms Brown was named in an independent review released earlier in August, conducted by former NDIS commissioner Graeme Head.
He criticised her role in the appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a $500,000-a-year tax-payer funded US trade job.
Mr Barilaro withdrew from the coveted role in June, citing media pressure, and subsequently faced an inquiry.
The review found Ms Brown had been indirectly influenced by then-trade minister Stuart Ayres' preference for who should get the New York-based role.
Mr Latham pushed on with his line of questioning.
"But practically ... ministers are responsible for interaction reports and the performance of their departmental heads. Isn't that the case?"
"I disagree," Mr Henskens replied.
Ms Brown was due to appear at Thursday's hearing but has taken four weeks' leave.
She relinquished her role as CEO of Investment NSW on August 11, but remains secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade.
Mr Latham again asked Mr Henskens if he maintained faith in her abilities as trade department secretary.Â
The minister said Ms Brown reported directly to Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter and any employment decisions about her future would be taken by him.
Mr Latham asked if the minister planned to talk with "Mr Coutts-Trotter about removing Ms Brown because of ... incompetence in the Barilaro matter".
"That is a matter for others, rather than me," Mr Henskens replied.
Mr Ayres resigned as minister earlier in August after a draft excerpt from the Head review raised questions about whether he breached the ministerial code of conduct with his involvement.
The review found Mr Barilaro's appointment was not kept at arm's length from government.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the appointment process was "flawed from the outset".