Nathan Rees: Difference between revisions
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Rees's first job in [[politics]] was in 1995, when he became an adviser to the then deputy premier [[Andrew Refshauge]], for whom his mother, Frances, worked. During this period, Rees cycled between [[Bullaburra, New South Wales|Bullaburra]] in the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]], where he lived at the time, and central Sydney, a distance of more than 80km (50 miles).<ref name="SMH_Stalking"/> |
Rees's first job in [[politics]] was in 1995, when he became an adviser to the then deputy premier [[Andrew Refshauge]], for whom his mother, Frances, worked. During this period, Rees cycled between [[Bullaburra, New South Wales|Bullaburra]] in the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]], where he lived at the time, and central Sydney, a distance of more than 80km (50 miles).<ref name="SMH_Stalking"/> |
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He subsequently worked for Ministers [[Craig Knowles]] and [[Morris Iemma]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nsw.nationals.org.au/news/nathan-rees-former-chief-of-staff-for-milton-orkopoulos-piccoli.aspx|publisher=NSW Nationals|title=Nathan Rees, former Chief of Staff for Milton Orkopoulos: Piccoli|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=21 October 2009}}</ref> and as chief of staff for disgraced Minister [[Milton Orkopoulos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/la/qala.nsf/18101dc36b638302ca257146007ee41a/a5b7930c076807c9ca25730800324200!OpenDocument|title=0728—MR NATHAN REES|publisher=Parliament of NSW}}</ref> Rees transferred to the Premier's office in 2006, three months before Orkopoulos was charged with paedophilia.<ref name="SMH_Stalking"/> Rees has stated that he had no knowledge of the crimes committed by Orkopoulos and would have reported him to the police had he been aware of them. Former Labor MP Paul O'Grady claimed in September 2008 that Rees had chosen to remain ignorant of the allegations.<ref>[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=634844 Rees 'knew nothing' about Orkopoulos]</ref> |
He subsequently worked for Ministers [[Craig Knowles]] and [[Morris Iemma]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nsw.nationals.org.au/news/nathan-rees-former-chief-of-staff-for-milton-orkopoulos-piccoli.aspx|publisher=NSW Nationals|title=Nathan Rees, former Chief of Staff for Milton Orkopoulos: Piccoli|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=21 October 2009}}</ref> and as chief of staff for disgraced Minister [[Milton Orkopoulos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/la/qala.nsf/18101dc36b638302ca257146007ee41a/a5b7930c076807c9ca25730800324200!OpenDocument|title=0728—MR NATHAN REES|publisher=Parliament of NSW}}</ref> Rees transferred to the Premier's office in 2006, three months before Orkopoulos was charged and eventually convicted with a thirteen year jail term for paedophilia.<ref name="SMH_Stalking"/> Rees has stated that he had no knowledge of the crimes committed by Orkopoulos and would have reported him to the police had he been aware of them. Former Labor MP Paul O'Grady claimed in September 2008 that Rees had chosen to remain ignorant of the allegations.<ref>[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=634844 Rees 'knew nothing' about Orkopoulos]</ref> |
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He was elected to the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] on 24 March 2007 and became Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Water Utilities, on 2 April 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/c8a9b0fc61cd9910ca256e7c000acca0/a340185149819e9cca2572a7001486bb!OpenDocument|title=The Hon. Nathan REES, MP|publisher=Parliament of NSW}}</ref> As Minister for Water Utilities, he was responsible for implementing the $1.9 billion [[Kurnell Desalination Plant|Sydney Desalination Plant]] at [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]], and the proposed [[Tillegra Dam]] in the [[Hunter Valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Whoweare/MediaCentre/MediaView.cfm?ID=486|publisher=''[[Sydney Water]]''|title=Desalination plant construction 30 per cent complete, and wind power contract signed |date=2008-07-30 |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/services/pdfs/Minister%27s_statement_about_water_reversal.pdf|publisher=''Wyong Shire Council''|title=Central Coast Banking Excess Water For Future Drought Use |date=2007-05-17 |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref> |
He was elected to the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] on 24 March 2007 and became Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Water Utilities, on 2 April 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/c8a9b0fc61cd9910ca256e7c000acca0/a340185149819e9cca2572a7001486bb!OpenDocument|title=The Hon. Nathan REES, MP|publisher=Parliament of NSW}}</ref> As Minister for Water Utilities, he was responsible for implementing the $1.9 billion [[Kurnell Desalination Plant|Sydney Desalination Plant]] at [[Kurnell, New South Wales|Kurnell]], and the proposed [[Tillegra Dam]] in the [[Hunter Valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Whoweare/MediaCentre/MediaView.cfm?ID=486|publisher=''[[Sydney Water]]''|title=Desalination plant construction 30 per cent complete, and wind power contract signed |date=2008-07-30 |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/services/pdfs/Minister%27s_statement_about_water_reversal.pdf|publisher=''Wyong Shire Council''|title=Central Coast Banking Excess Water For Future Drought Use |date=2007-05-17 |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:41, 13 November 2009
Nathan Rees | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 41st Premier of New South Wales | |
| Assumed office 5 September 2008 | |
| Deputy | Carmel Tebbutt |
| Preceded by | Morris Iemma |
| Constituency | Toongabbie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 February 1968 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Stacey Haines |
Nathan Rees (born 12 February 1968)[1], Australian politician, is the 41st Premier of New South Wales and parliamentary leader of the New South Wales division of the Australian Labor Party since 2008, and member for Toongabbie since 2007. He holds the Ministerial portfolios of The Arts and the Central Coast. Rees replaced Morris Iemma as Premier and party leader on 5 September 2008.[2]
Biography
Early life
Rees was born in 1968 in Western Sydney to parents Daryl and Frances, his mother being a long time member of the Labor Party. He attended Northmead High School where he served as school captain. On leaving school he initially took up a horticultural apprenticeship and worked as a greenskeeper for Parramatta Council. Subsequently he went on to study English literature at the University of Sydney, attaining an honours degree in 1994, supporting himself by working as a garbage collector (colloquially a "garbo") at the same council.[3][4][5] During his time at the Council he became Secretary of the then Municipal and Shire Employees Union.[3]
Rees was a long-distance runner, and a member of the Parramatta Cycling Club, where he won many events. When training for races, Rees would cycle up to 1000 km per week. He once attained third place in a state triathlon.[6]
Politics
Rees's first job in politics was in 1995, when he became an adviser to the then deputy premier Andrew Refshauge, for whom his mother, Frances, worked. During this period, Rees cycled between Bullaburra in the Blue Mountains, where he lived at the time, and central Sydney, a distance of more than 80km (50 miles).[7]
He subsequently worked for Ministers Craig Knowles and Morris Iemma,[8] and as chief of staff for disgraced Minister Milton Orkopoulos.[9] Rees transferred to the Premier's office in 2006, three months before Orkopoulos was charged and eventually convicted with a thirteen year jail term for paedophilia.[7] Rees has stated that he had no knowledge of the crimes committed by Orkopoulos and would have reported him to the police had he been aware of them. Former Labor MP Paul O'Grady claimed in September 2008 that Rees had chosen to remain ignorant of the allegations.[10]
He was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly on 24 March 2007 and became Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Water Utilities, on 2 April 2007.[11] As Minister for Water Utilities, he was responsible for implementing the $1.9 billion Sydney Desalination Plant at Kurnell, and the proposed Tillegra Dam in the Hunter Valley.[12][13]
In July 2008, he was touted by the Sydney media as being a contender for Premier. Rees at that time denied that he was a candidate for the role.[14]
Premier
After the resignation of Morris Iemma on 5 September 2008, later in the day, Rees was nominated for the position of Premier and won the unanimous support of the Labor Party caucus.[2] He was sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, Supreme Court Chief Justice James Spigelman after only nineteen months as a member of parliament. Carmel Tebbutt was elected unanimously as Deputy Leader, and thus Deputy Premier.[15] The following Monday, 8 September, Rees was also sworn in as Minister for the Arts.
A slump in revenues associated with the recent global financial crisis compelled Rees and the State Treasurer Eric Roozendaal to implement a mini-budget which was handed down on 11 November 2008.[16] The mini-budget increased taxes and charges such as land tax, mineral royalties, parking space levies and also announced the privatisation of state assets. A universal scheme providing free travel on public transport for all students going to and from school was curtailed - a decision since reversed[17] - and the previously announced North West Metro and South West rail projects were indefinitely postponed.[18]. A series of by-elections to replace former Premier Morris Iemma, Deputy Premier John Watkins and Health Minister Reba Meagher resulted in massive swings against the government and saw John Watkins' former seat of Ryde resoundingly lost to the Liberals.
Soon after returning from his wedding in New York, Rees dismissed rumours of a leadership challenge within the Labor party.[19] After the resignation of John Della Bosca as Minister for Health and the Central Coast, and after a subsequent cabinet reshuffle, Rees appointed himself as Minister for the Central Coast.
Personal life
Rees is a Roman Catholic, and proudly describes himself as "a westie".[7] He met his partner, Stacey Haines, at Northmead High School when they were both aged 14. Haines works for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.[7] They live in Wentworthville.[20] Rees and Haines married in a ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau in New York City on 7 January 2009.[21]
See also
References
- ^ McNicoll, D.D.: Secrecy the safest policy, The Australian, 23 December 2008.
- ^ a b "Nathan Rees confirmed as new NSW Premier". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Inaugural Speech of the Member for Toongabbie". NSW Hansard. 2007-05-08.
- ^ Clennell, Andrew (2008-09-05). "All you need to know about Nathan Rees". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Mills, Alison (2008-09-05). "Nathan Rees: From greenkeeper to Premier of NSW". Fairfax Media. Blacktown Sun. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Clennell, Andrew (2008-07-19). "Stalking horse or tried stayer?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
SMH_Stalkingwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Nathan Rees, former Chief of Staff for Milton Orkopoulos: Piccoli". NSW Nationals. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ "0728—MR NATHAN REES". Parliament of NSW.
- ^ Rees 'knew nothing' about Orkopoulos
- ^ "The Hon. Nathan REES, MP". Parliament of NSW.
- ^ "Desalination plant construction 30 per cent complete, and wind power contract signed". Sydney Water. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Central Coast Banking Excess Water For Future Drought Use" (PDF). Wyong Shire Council. 2007-05-17. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Brad Norington and Imre Salusinszky (2008-07-11). "Preferred leader Nathan Rees backs Morris Iemma". The Australian.
- ^ "Rees sworn in as NSW Premier". News Limited. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (11 November, 2008). "Budget blow-out: NSW to reveal $915m deficit". Retrieved 17 January 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ New South Wales Ministry of Transport (21 December 2008). "School Student Transport Scheme Update". Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ Quentin Dempster (11 November 2008). "Analysis: Public confidence in deficit". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (16 January 2009). "Rees dismisses leadership rumours". Retrieved 16 January 2009.
- ^ "Nathan Rees MP". New South Wales Labor Party. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ NSW Premier Nathan Rees weds in secret New York ceremony, The Daily Telegraph, 7 January 2009.
