“Kate Pounder has demonstrated strong leadership at a national level for the tech sector, and is committed to continuing that work,” the spokeswoman said. One well-placed observer said former NSW deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres could be considered. Mr Ayres resigned from the Coalition frontbench over revelations about former deputy premier John Barilaro’s appointment to a trade commissioner position in New York. He was cleared of breaching ministerial rules but lost his seat of Penrith at the March state election. Ms Thomson formerly worked as an ABC journalist, political adviser and executive director of the Australian Technology Network of Universities….