NSW govt 'soap opera' is over: Rees

(AAP)- NSW Premier Nathan Rees spruiked the economic credentials of right faction heavyweight Joe Tripodi, but refused to be drawn on who would become the state's next treasurer.

Mr Rees declared the "soap opera" over as he revealed his new-look cabinet, with
Frank Sartor the latest high-profile casualty in days of blood letting within state
Labor.
The former planning minister is one of three scalps claimed in as many days from the
leadership change, joining former treasurer Michael Costa who was dumped on Friday,
and former health ministers Reba Meagher, who on Saturday night ruled herself out of
contention before she could be pushed.
Morris Iemma quit politics on Friday after his reshuffle plans - brought forward by
the resignation of his deputy John Watkins - were blocked by the Centre Unity
faction.
However, Mr Rees' new line-up includes half of the people the former premier wanted
to promote - namely Michael Daley, Virginia Judge and Jodi McKay.
Graham West and Kevin Greene defied expectations by surviving the reshuffle, while
Tony Stewart, Phil Costa and former Parramatta mayor David Borger were added to the
ministry.
As expected, John Della Bosca has returned to cabinet, and along with John
Hatzistergos and Mr Tripodi, is considered a contender for the role of treasurer.
That role has never been more important, with the state's Triple A credit rating
under threat due to huge budget blowouts, declining revenues, and costly
infrastructure plans.
One political commentator said Mr Rees' favourable assessment of Mr Tripodi's
economic experience may well have been made as justification for keeping him in
cabinet, rather than setting him up as treasurer.
"I was persuaded that given the fiscal challenge that we face, very significant
challenges there, Joe Tripodi, who has a first class honours degree in economics ...
is the sort of skills I'm going to need," Mr Rees said.
Mr Tripodi would not be drawn on the matter when contacted by AAP.
"I'm looking forward to Premier Rees announcing his cabinet tomorrow," he said in a
statement.
"I'm happy to serve in whatever role he chooses."
Also returning to cabinet are Eric Roozendaal, David Campbell, Tony Kelly, Linda
Burney, Matt Brown, Kristina Keneally, Barbara Perry, Verity Firth, Ian Macdonald
and Paul Lynch.
Mr Rees, whose deputy premier is Carmel Tebbutt, will reveal the portfolios tomorrow
morning, with the ministers due to be sworn in at midday (AEST).
"It's the combination I wanted," he told reporters after emerging from caucus.
"It's got the courage, it's got the talent and it's got, most importantly, the work
ethic.
"That's what this exercise has been about and this is a team that I believe will
improve our standing in NSW and deliver the services that we need for NSW and most
importantly get about restoring people's confidence in our administration.
"This team will deliver."
But Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says that while the soap opera may have ended,
"the reruns ... have just started".
"Yes, a quarter of the ministry has changed, but the real players, the people who
determine who comes and goes, are still there and still calling the shots," he told
Fairfax Radio Network.
"Frank Sartor's been punted because he, like Reba Meagher, attracted enormous public
dissatisfaction, but principally he's been punted because he's not one of the
factional heavies.
"Nothing really has changed. Joe Tripodi is still there, Eddie Obeid's still calling
the shots."