ICAC hears of reprisal sackings over school procurement concerns

TL;DR

ICAC Probes Sackings: NSW anti-corruption inquiry examines sackings of two education officials who challenged Anthony Manning's procurement practices at School Infrastructure NSW.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)
$2000 Daily Contract: Andrea Patrick flagged an abnormally high nearly $2000-a-day contract self-written by the worker before her sudden sacking in October 2020.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)
Contractor Spending Surge: Under Manning from 2017 to 2024, contractor spending rose above $344 million with 26 staff on over $500,000 salaries, amid reprisal allegations.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

The story at a glance

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) heard evidence about the sackings of Andrea Patrick and Mattu Barr, both senior officials who raised procurement concerns with Anthony Manning, former head of School Infrastructure NSW. Manning's barrister argued the probe lacks clear allegations against his client. This emerged during hearings on May 14, 2025, as part of an inquiry into alleged favoritism in high-paying contracts and reprisal sackings.

Key points

ICAC is investigating Manning for giving friends high-paying contractor jobs, improperly awarding contracts, misallocating funds, and possible reprisal sackings.
Contractor spending at School Infrastructure NSW jumped to more than $344 million from 2017 to 2024, with 26 employees on salaries over $500,000.
Patrick, head of procurement, alleged Manning dismissed her role in a 2017 meeting, claiming direct lines to ministers including Rob Stokes, who faces no accusations.
Patrick raised issues with a nearly $2000-a-day contract for a contingent worker who wrote her own justification brief, calling it abnormally high and odd.
After Patrick's August 2020 procurement review, Manning became acting chief operating officer; he sacked her on Zoom in October 2020 with no warning, offering two minutes or two weeks to leave.
An internal probe dismissed Patrick's complaint of personality conflict with Manning, blaming a staffing review not started by him.
Mattu Barr emailed in November 2017 warning of little oversight in procurement changes; she was sacked a month later after reported harsh treatment.

Details and context

Patrick had limited initial contact with Manning after his 2017 start at the agency. She described his introductory comment as rejecting her services or policies, insisting on ministerial access for exceptions.

A senior executive complained Patrick's procurement changes would add oversight problems for School Infrastructure. Manning's email to Barr defended his procurement strategy as robustly governed.

Mark Scott, former NSW Education Secretary who hired Manning, was shown a December 2017 note seeking Barr's sacking. Manning's barrister Tim Hale SC objected to vague ICAC details on allegations, noting past inquiries specified claims clearly; commissioner Paul Lakatos SC overruled, promising Manning a chance to respond.

Key quotes

“Andrea was concerned about a $2000-a-day contract. Later she was sacked.” – Andrea Patrick on the contingent worker's self-written brief: “Odd, unusual, never seen it before, never seen it since.”[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

Manning to Patrick (alleged): “I don’t need you or services or policies... if I need to do things different, I just pick up the phone to them [ministers], and they’ll sort it.”[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

Why it matters

The inquiry highlights risks of unchecked procurement in public agencies, potentially wasting taxpayer funds on inflated contracts and stifling oversight. It raises questions for education department staff and managers about job security when challenging spending. Watch ICAC's final findings on Manning's conduct and any referrals, though allegations remain unproven.

What changed

Before Patrick's August 2020 procurement review, School Infrastructure had minimal oversight on contracts. Manning then took acting chief operating officer role and sacked her in October 2020 via sudden Zoom termination. Barr warned of poor procurement oversight in November 2017; a December note sought her sacking, executed soon after.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

FAQ

Q: Why did Andrea Patrick raise concerns about the $2000-a-day contract?

A: Patrick called the rate abnormally high and noted the worker had written her own justifying brief, something she described as odd and unprecedented. This followed her limited interactions with Manning, who rejected procurement policies. She testified to ICAC on May 14, 2025.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

Q: How was Andrea Patrick sacked?

A: Manning terminated her employment on Zoom in October 2020 without warning, saying a review was done and she could leave in two minutes or two weeks. She lodged a complaint alleging personality conflict, but an internal probe dismissed it as due to a staffing review. Manning had just become acting chief operating officer.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

Q: What happened with Mattu Barr?

A: Barr emailed in November 2017 warning of little oversight in procurement changes; Manning disagreed. She was treated horrendously and faced a December 2017 briefing note for sacking, approved by then-Education Secretary Mark Scott. Her termination followed shortly after.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)

Q: What did Manning's barrister argue at ICAC?

A: Tim Hale SC said the probe failed to specify allegations against Manning, risking his reputation without detail, unlike past ICAC openings. He objected to questioning over Barr's sacking. Commissioner Paul Lakatos SC dismissed objections, ensuring Manning's response chance.[[1]](https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/nsw/andrea-was-concerned-about-a-2000-a-day-contract-later-she-was-sacked-20250514-p5lz3z.html)