| Submit your comments on this article |
| Down Under |
| 'Proud Aussie' takes top job |
| 2009-12-03 |
| NEW South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally says her elevation to state's top political job is an opportunity for a "new beginning" and "healing" within the Government. Ms Keneally became NSW's first female premier after a special caucus meeting of Labor MPs dumped embattled leader Nathan Rees. In a day of high drama on Macquarie Street, the US-born MP won the leadership ballot 47 votes to 21. During her first press conference tonight, Ms Keneally described herself as a "40-year-old working mum", who planned to restore public trust in the State Government. "Today is an opportunity for a new beginning and for a time for healing," she said. "My government will be about driving economic recovery. It will be about increasing jobs and prosperity for NSW families and it will be about putting care for the most vulnerable members of our community at the heart of what we do." Ms Keneally thanked her colleagues for their support in the caucus vote. She also thanked her predecessor, Mr Rees, for his "hard work as premier" and said she would talk with him about a role in her new government. She also joked about her accent, but said: "I'm, first and foremost a proud Australian". "I came here because I fell in love with a man, but immediately after I came here I fell in love with this country," Ms Keneally said. She was accompanied by her family at the conference, including her husband Ben - the nephew of famous Australian author Tom Keneally - and the couple's two sons, Daniel, 11, and Brendan, nine. "I am a 40-year-old working mum and face the same challenges that working mums everywhere do," she said. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 Doubtful bman. First, she's labor, and her student history in Ohio is left/democrat. Second, the quotes and background reveal it's more party infighting, rather than outsider insurgency a-la Sarah. Still, an important position and much potential. |
| Posted by: halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2009-12-03 13:50 |
| #1 an australian Sarah ? |
| Posted by: bman 2009-12-03 11:23 |