The state government has ended months of speculation and announced former Supreme Court judge Peter Hall will become the new chief commissioner of the corruption watchdog.
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Former premier Mike Baird courted controversy last year when he announced a restructure of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which effectively ousted serving boss Megan Latham from office.
Justice Latham, who has since returned to the Supreme Court bench, opted not to reapply for a job in the restructured agency.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Thursday the government would propose Mr Hall, QC, be appointed the chief commissioner of the ICAC. The restructured agency will have an additional two commissioners, who are yet to be appointed.
A joint parliamentary committee overseeing the ICAC must approve the appointment but it is not anticipated the recommendation will be opposed.
Shadow attorney-general Paul Lynch said: "We have no objection to Peter Hall's appointment.
"It's just a pity there was a vacancy at all."
Fairfax Media revealed in November that Mr Hall, a former judge of the NSW Supreme Court and a former ICAC assistant commissioner, was a leading contender for one of the new roles.
In 2004 he authored a book on the powers and procedures of commissions of inquiry charged with investigating corruption and misconduct in public office.
Mr Hall was invited by the ICAC parliamentary committee to make a submission on the proposed restructure of the agency, under a plan devised by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.
However, Mr Hall said he would not support the change.
"No material has been advanced which suggests or establishes any deficiencies or problems associated with the sole commissioner model," Mr Hall said in his submission.
The Baird government came under fire for passing an Act of Parliament which axed Justice Latham's position and created a chief commissioner position supported by two new commissioners.
Labor said the move was a "ruse" to remove Justice Latham, who was criticised over her handling of high-profile inquiries including the aborted investigation into Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen, SC.
The High court found the ICAC had no power to investigate Ms Cunneen and the state's solicitor-general subsequently advised that Ms Cunneen should not be charged with any offence as a result of material gathered by the ICAC.
