NSW police minister won’t say if she had role in hiring Karen Webb’s media chief Steve Jackson

As politicians clam up over the controversial appointment of Karen Webb’s fourth media chief, Yasmin Catley has finally spoken out— but won’t say if she had a role in the hiring which sparked crisis talks.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley is under pressure to explain why her office suggested a new media chief for top cop Karen Webb, before leaving the Commissioner to wear the blame when questions were asked about the controversial appointment.

The process behind the hiring of veteran journalist Steve Jackson as Commissioner Webb’s

chief adviser has turned into another media mess, with her tenure as the state’s first female top cop repeatedly overshadowed by blunders in the press.

Ms Catley refused to answer questions about whether someone from within her office recommended Mr Jackson to replace Commissioner Webb’s former media aide Liz Deegan, but last night a spokeswoman from her office said in a statement: “Consultation regarding senior executive appointments is permitted but all appointments are the decision of the heads of agencies.”

That is despite sources telling The Daily Telegraph members of Ms Catley’s office were sounding out potential candidates for the job up to three weeks ago, at which point Ms Deegan was still in the role.

Steve Jackson has been appointed Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s chief media adviser.

Ms Catley, whose chief-of-staff Ross Neilson is a close friend of Mr Jackson, refused to say if she or her staff introduced the journalist to the commissioner, or recommended him for the role.

Ms Catley’s spokeswoman confirmed Mr Jackson had been appointed for six months “on a temporary basis” after an interview process and police check.

“This appointment was made through a suitability assessment process in accordance with the rules,” she said.

“This involved assessment of Mr Jackson’s suitability... a full merit process for an ongoing appointment to the role will be conducted in coming months.”

Ms Webb’s former media chief Liz Deegan was dismissed last week.

Mr Jackson’s appointment as the new Executive Director of Public Affairs was leaked in the media on Monday.

When discussing the appointment on his 2GB breakfast radio show on Tuesday morning, Ben Fordham described the former journalist as a “cowboy” and a “colourful identity” within the Sydney media landscape.

Police minister Yasmin Catley has been quizzed about her role in Mr Jackson’s appointment. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Premier Chris Minns was also dragged into the furore hours after Mr Jackson’s sudden appointment was revealed — while at the same time crisis talks were being held at a senior police level. A spokesperson for Mr Minns said he played no role in the “selection of personnel for the Police Media Unit”.

Fordham said it’s believed Ms Webb will change her mind on Mr Jackson’s appointment. picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Former police officer and NSW MLC Rod Roberts told Fordham his phone “lit up like a Christmas tree” after news broke of Mr Jackson’s appointment.

“I was getting phone calls from people I know in the media, senior police officers, all questioning this decision,” he said.

Ben Fordham told listeners Ms Webb may already be on the lookout for spin doctor number five. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mr Jackson resigned from his position as supervising producer at Seven’s Spotlight show last week and signed a contract to take up the police media gig. He is due to begin late next month.

He will be the fourth media manager for Commissioner Webb in the past two years, and comes when she needs help the most after a tough few weeks in front of the media.

Commissioner Webb was criticised for not being on the front foot and addressing the public when one of her officers, Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with murdering Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, 29, on February 19.

It took her three days for her to appear in front of the media, and when she did, Commissioner Webb went on to make a series of faux pas, including calling the alleged killing a ‘crime of passion’ and expressing gratitude to Lamarre-Condon for assisting detectives locate the men’s bodies.

She faced similar criticism last year following the alleged Taser death of 95-year-old great-grandmother Clare Nowland at the hands of a police officer in Cooma.

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