NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb chooses billionaire’s former adviser as her 6th media chief

Karen Webb has appointed a new media chief who previously worked for billionaire mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest. Anthony Flannery is the sixth person to take the role since 2022.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has appointed a new spin doctor who previously worked as a media chief in billionaire mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s business empire.

Anthony Flannery has landed the $360,000 position and will be the sixth person to have held the role since Commissioner Webb became the state’s first female top cop in 2022.

Former Channel 7 Sydney chief of staff Andrew Frampton has at the same time been given the vacant position of director of media and public affairs, with one of his chief roles being to oversee the police media unit.

Anthony Flannery, the former news director at Channel 10, has been chosen as Karen Webb’s latest media chief. Picture: Supplied

Mr Flannery will be the sixth media adviser for Ms Webb since she took on the role of being the state’s first female top cop in 2022. Picture: Gaye Gerard

In a statement, a NSW Police spokesman said: “The NSW Police Force (NSWPF) confirms Mr Anthony Flannery has been appointed to the role of Executive Director, Public Affairs NSWPF.

“The role of Director of Media, Public Affairs NSWPF, has also been filled by Mr Andrew Frampton.”

Another vacant position — for the role of executive adviser to Commissioner Webb — was yet to be officially filled, the statement said.

Flannery has previously worked as the head of news, current affairs and operations at Channel 10, as well as holding roles at Channel 9 and with TV networks in New Zealand, before joining Vodafone.

In 2020 he moved to work for Forrest in the role of external affairs director for Tattarang, Forrest’s private investment group, as well as with the Minderoo Foundation he runs.

Liz Deegan was moved on last year.

Steve Jackson was hired, but never started in the role.

Flannery’s new job has been in the headlines in recent years, with a number of his predecessors moved on from their positions with payouts before their contracts were up.

Grant Williams, who was in the role when Ms Webb took over from previous top cop Mick Fuller, and Alex Hodgkinson were the first two advisers to go.

Ms Webb then appointed Liz Deegan, who was moved on last year, before journalist Steve Jackson was hired to replace her – only for him to controversially never start in the job, but he still received a small taxpayer-funded payout.

Respected media adviser Adam Wallace filled in the role temporarily for close to six months, before the role was left vacant until Flannery’s appointment.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb chooses billionaire’s former adviser as her 6th media chief