State Library of NSW staff angered by acquisition of Jacinta Price portrait by controversial cartoonist

Staff reportedly complained to state librarian John Vallance about the $20,000 painting by the Australian’s Johannes Leak, which can only be viewed by appointment

• Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

The State Library of New South Wales’s state librarian and chief executive has signalled he will retire, amid staff unrest over senior management and the acquisition of a controversial painting of Country Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.

Dr John Vallance, who served as principal of the prestigious Sydney Grammar School for almost two decades before the Liberal government appointed him to one of the state’s most senior public service positions, told library staff in an email dated 14 February that he would leave “sometime in July or August” to concentrate “on my own work”.

Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning