However, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said Mr Langton had an appalling record as Transport Minister, and a 1998 Independent Commission Against Corruption finding against him should also have been considered.

Mr Langton, who represented Kogarah from 1983 to 1999, was opposition transport spokesman for many years and Transport Minister from 1995 to 1997.

He resigned from Cabinet after the ICAC found he had falsely claimed aircraft charter expenses from the parliament.

The Director of Public Prosecutions considered the findings, but no charges were ever laid and Mr Langton retired from parliament at the following election.

Mr Watkins said that in the last 10 years, Mr Langton had been a director of Transgrid and the Bus and Coach Association. He was also chairman of the NSW Australian Rules judiciary and a member of the NSW Prostate Cancer Committee.

"He is a fine and honourable man, who has served the state well,'' the minister said.

"Most importantly, he knows transport. He knows ferries, he knows unions, he knows government and he knows what a state-owned corporation is. I wanted the best man for the job and I think that's Brian Langton.''

Mr O'Farrell said it was an extraordinary appointment.

"Instead of putting someone into the job who has the skills to offer ferry commuters some hope of improvement, they resort to Labor hacks,'' he said.

"This is a state government that makes a habit out of making the NSW public sector some sort of Labor Party employment scheme.''

Mr Langton was not available for comment.

Mr O'Farrell claimed it was while Mr Langton was transport minister that "the rot''had started in public transport.

"It was on Brian Langton's watch that maintenance was cut back, that spending was wound back and that didn't just affect ferries, it affected rail services across Sydney,'' he said.