The NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced the appointment of the Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, as the Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery.

Janelle Saffin experienced the devastation of a natural disaster when unprecedented floods hit the Northern Rivers in early 2022.

The Member for Lismore has remained a fierce advocate for her community’s recovery since the beginning and will have an even stronger voice – for the Northern Rivers and communities across NSW in this role.

(Premier Chris Minns, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and CEO NSWRA Simon Draper. Photo: supplied) 

This announcement represents another stage in the new Government’s reset of the Northern Rivers disaster recovery response.

Premier Minns met with local mayors and MPs from the Northern Rivers in June to directly listen to their concerns.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, and the Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, visited the region together last month to further hear community feedback and to see first-hand how reconstruction programs are progressing and what more needed to be done.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin and Member for Lismore said, “I’m honoured to take on the important role of Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery.

“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation that natural disasters such as floods can cause communities such as my local Northern Rivers community. 

“I've also experienced first-hand the vital role that a well-coordinated response and recovery, throughout the short-term and long-term stages of disaster recovery can play and the need for continuous improvement in preparedness.

“The better prepared, the better response, the better recovery.” 

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will continue under its current arrangements reporting to the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Emergency Services, now supported by the new Parliamentary Secretary.

Further strengthening the Government’s focus on natural disaster preparedness and recovery, Premier Minns announced NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive officer Simon Draper PSM as the new Secretary of the Premier’s Department. 

Mr Draper’s experience will bolster the Premier’s Department’s whole-of-government disaster response coordination role and the department’s focus on supporting frontline agencies to deliver for communities.

Mr Draper’s appointment recognises his reputation as one of the state’s most respected and experienced public servants.

Simon Draper will commence in his role as Secretary of Premier’s Department on 1 September 2023.

Premier Minns thanked outgoing Acting Secretary Peter Duncan AM, who has overseen the establishment of the Cabinet Office and the Premier’s Department since the March election.

Further work will be undertaken in relation to the recruitment of the Secretary of the Cabinet Office. Deputy Secretary, Policy William Murphy PSM will be Acting Secretary of the Cabinet Office.

Mr Draper will continue as NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO as the state enters the summer bushfire season.

Simon Draper has worked in NSW Government for the last decade. He was a Deputy Secretary Economic Policy at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Secretary of the Department of Industry and was CEO of Infrastructure NSW from 2019 to February 2023. He joined the newly formed NSW Reconstruction Authority as CEO in February 2023.

Prior to joining Government, Simon worked in the infrastructure, utility and energy sectors, as CEO of two airport companies (Northern Territory Airports and Wellington Airport in New Zealand), CEO of Lumo Energy, and General Manager Commercial at Integral Energy (now Endeavour Energy). 

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said, “Simon Draper is a highly regarded leader in the NSW public sector. 

“A leader of Simon’s calibre qualifies him to head both the NSW Premier’s Department and continue his critical stewardship of the state’s disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.

“I am thrilled that the Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin has accepted the important role of Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery. 

“Janelle is a tireless advocate for her community and, having personally faced a devastating natural disaster and its aftermath, I can think of no-one better for this role.”   

Incoming Secretary for the Premier’s Department, Simon Draper said, “I am honoured to be appointed to this role leading the 430,000 outstanding public servants who work hard each day for the people of NSW.

“I have done many things in my career - I saw the best of what can be achieved when the public service came together during COVID and again in our work in the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

“I look forward to supporting the Premier and his priorities and driving effort from the heart of government to improve the lives of the NSW community.”