Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has been appointed the Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery.

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.

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.

Premier Chris Minns said he was thrilled that Ms Saffin accepted the role.

“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,” he said.

Janelle Saffin said she was honoured to take on the 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,” she said.

“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.”