The boss of the federal government's overseas trade promotion and marketing agency has dismissed concerns about the departure of three senior bureaucrats within two weeks, dubbed "the nuclear option" for staff reorganisation by insiders.
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Austrade executive director for international operations Grame Barty finished in his role on Friday, while executive director for tourism, investment and education Jane Madden and chief operating officer Phillipa Dawson are set to finish at the trade commission on May 31.
The moves - leaving the third tier of Austrade's senior leadership completely vacant - have raised questions among some staff and come after former management consultant and Monash University deputy vice chancellor Stephanie Fahey started as Austrade chief executive in February.
One Austrade insider said it was extraordinary that Mr Barty, who was acting chief executive before Dr Fahey's appointment in January and joined as general manager for international marketing in June 2013, had left last week. They questioned the role of Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo in the growing shake up and continuing corporatisation of the agency.
Ms Madden joined Austrade in 2012 and has led trade promotion, foreign direct investment and export marketing development efforts. Ms Dawson has overseen a range of internal services including finance, procurement, human resources, information technology and legal services.
The staff member noted the three respected executives were being quietly removed from the official Austrade website this week and said efforts to overhaul the commission's internal bureaucracy were controversial. The plans "smelt bad" among some long serving employees.
Mr Barty could not be reached for comment on Monday.
It is unclear if the executive director positions will be restructured, sitting below Austrade's chief economist and executive branch head and above the wide range of general managers.
An Austrade spokeswoman said on Monday the government had tasked Dr Fahey with leading the commission during a time of "rapidly changing global trade and investment landscape".
"She has high aspirations for Austrade to harness the significant opportunities arising from rapid technological change and ongoing disruption of traditional business models," the spokeswoman said.
"Dr Fahey believes Austrade needs to pioneer new ways of delivering for Australian exporters at this pivotal moment in Australia's engagement with the vast Asian markets on our doorstep."
In a statement, the spokeswoman said Dr Fahey had acknowledged the significant contribution of Mr Barty, Ms Madden and Ms Dawson to Austrade and the federal public service.
Asked why the departures had come in such a short period and if there was a risk of destabilising the commission's work, the spokeswoman said Austrade maintained "a deep well of talent, with experience across business, government, trade and investment from which to draw its future leadership."
"Austrade is in a strong position to keep innovating and thinking about new ways to support Australian exporters and investors to thrive in this fast-paced global business environment," the spokeswoman said.
