Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon exiled to NSW Reconstruction Authority for 2 more years

The man considered Karen Webb’s biggest rival for the police commissioner’s job was sent off to run the state’s disaster recovery agency after she complained about him to the Premier.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb complained about Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon to the Premier. Picture: Nikki Short

The man considered Karen Webb’s biggest rival for the police commissioner’s job was sent off to run the state’s disaster recovery agency after she complained about him to Premier Chris Minns, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

And Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon this week had his term as NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO unexpectedly extended for two years, just as his six-month tenure was due to expire and he was about to return to police hierarchy.

Mr Lanyon was parachuted in to the authority in April, initially as a temporary secondee, and insisted at the time he would be returning to NSW Police when the secondment came to an end.

It is understood that negotiations about extending his contract were finalised while he was on holidays overseas and the announcement surprised those close to him.

Mr Minns supported Mr Lanyon’s appointment in April to run the authority, which is tasked with reducing the impact of natural disasters and helping communities recover. It is understood Ms Webb complained about him in a meeting with Mr Minns in February or March.

Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon has been seconded to the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Picture: Richard Dobson

Government sources insisted Mr Lanyon’s appointment was a promotion, coming with more money, more responsibility, and a direct reporting line to a minister.

They said Mr Lanyon was always considered a frontrunner for the role after his role in the Lismore floods in 2022. But senior NSW Police officers said at the time that the appointment of one of the state’s most senior cops to an emergency services role came as a surprise.

When The Telegraph asked Ms Webb whether she had asked Police Minister Yasmin Catley or the Premier for Mr Lanyon to be sacked, moved or seconded to another agency, a spokeswoman said: “Questions regarding Mr Lanyon’s employment should be directed to (the) NSW Reconstruction Authority.”

And when asked whether Mr Lanyon would return to his deputy commissioner role, an Authority spokesman said Mr Lanyon had been “re-signed for two more years”.

“Mal Lanyon … has played a critical role in taking the important recovery work of the agency forward,” the spokesman said.

A NSW government spokeswoman said there was “no one more qualified” than Mr Lanyon to lead Reconstruction NSW.

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