Nathan Rees

Rees was born in 1968 in Western Sydney to parents Daryl and Frances, his mother being a longtime member of the Labor Party, reportedly from Penrith, New South Wales.{{cite web|url=http://media.smh.com.au/national/national-news/a-puppet-ask-her-says-rees-945695.html&exc_from=videobox|title=A puppet? Ask her, says Rees | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media |date=4 December 2009}} He attended Northmead Creative and Performing Arts 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 at the same council.{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20070508045|title=Inaugural Speech of the Member for Toongabbie|publisher=NSW Hansard|date=8 May 2007}}{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Clennell |title=All you need to know about Nathan Rees |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/all-you-need-to-know-about-nathan-rees/2008/09/05/1220121497894.html |publisher=Fairfax Media | work = The Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 }}{{cite news |first=Alison |last=Mills |title=Nathan Rees: From greenkeeper to Premier of NSW |url=http://blacktown.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/nathan-rees-from-greenkeeper-to-premier-of-nsw/1264402.aspx |work =Blacktown Sun|publisher=Fairfax Media |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 }} During his time at the Council he became Secretary of the then Municipal and Shire Employees Union.

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 1,000 km per week. He once attained third place in a state triathlon.{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Clennell |author2=Smith, Alexandra |title=Stalking horse or tried stayer? |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/07/18/1216163156859.html |publisher=Fairfax Media | work = The Sydney Morning Herald |date=19 July 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 }}

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 {{convert|90|km|mi|abbr=on}}.{{cite news |author=Alexandra Smith |author2=Andrew Clennell |title=Stalking horse or tried stayer? |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/07/18/1216163156859.html |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=19 July 2008 |access-date=2008-09-05 }}

He subsequently worked for Ministers Craig Knowles and Morris Iemma,{{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 |access-date=21 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720051948/http://www.nsw.nationals.org.au/news/nathan-rees-former-chief-of-staff-for-milton-orkopoulos-piccoli.aspx |archive-date=20 July 2008 }} and as chief of staff for Minister Milton Orkopoulos. Rees transferred to the Premier's office in 2006, three months before Orkopoulos was charged with child sexual abuse. Rees has stated that he had no knowledge of the crimes committed by Orkopoulos,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/orkopoulos-past-haunts-rees/news-story/4ebc1eec5bcfeef352e8b94d339e3c90 |title=Premier Nathan Rees haunted by Milton Orkopoulos past |first=Sharri |last=Markson |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=21 September 2008 |access-date=8 May 2019}} and would have reported him to the police had he been aware of them.{{Dubious|date=January 2010}}

Rees was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly on 24 March 2007. He was almost immediately promoted to cabinet, becoming Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Water Utilities on 2 April 2007.{{Cite NSW Parliament |id=2220 |name=The Hon. Nathan Rees |former=Yes |access-date=8 May 2019}}

As Minister for Water Utilities, Rees was responsible for implementing the $1.9 billion Sydney Desalination Plant at Kurnell, and the proposed Tillegra Dam in the Hunter Region.{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Whoweare/MediaCentre/MediaView.cfm?ID=486|work=Media Release | publisher=Sydney Water|title=Desalination plant construction 30 per cent complete, and wind power contract signed |date=30 July 2008 |access-date=6 September 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/services/pdfs/Minister%27s_statement_about_water_reversal.pdf|publisher=Wyong Shire Council|work=Minister's statement|title=Central Coast Banking Excess Water For Future Drought Use |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=6 September 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080723054520/http://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/services/pdfs/Minister's_statement_about_water_reversal.pdf |archive-date = 23 July 2008}}

At the time Rees was appointed Minister for Water Utilities, Sydney was experiencing extreme drought conditions requiring transfer of water from the Shoalhaven River to Sydney and the imposition of water restrictions.{{cite news|last=Frew|first=Wendy|title=Pumping patches up Sydney's water woes|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/pumping-patches-up-sydneys-water-woes/2006/08/18/1155408025281.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=6 August 2013|date=19 August 2006}}

The construction of the controversial Sydney Desalination Plant to prepare Sydney for future droughts was completed whilst Rees was Minister. The project came in $60 million under budget and doubled the initial capacity.{{cite news|title=Sydney's desal plant switched on|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/sydneys-desal-plant-switched-on-20100128-n13h.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=6 August 2013|date=28 January 2010}}{{cite web|title=Double or quits – Sydney's desal approach|url=http://www.globalwaterintel.com/archive/8/7/general/double-or-quits-sydneys-desal-approach.html|publisher=Global Water Intelligence|access-date=6 August 2013|pages=Vol 8, Issue 7|date=July 2007}} Contracts were also entered into to provide for the powering of the desalination plant through renewable sources.{{cite news|last=Hildebrand|first=Joe|title=Wind fires desal water plant|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/wind-fires-desal-water-plant/story-e6freuzi-1111114641365|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=6 August 2013|date=15 October 2007}}

In July 2008, he was touted by the Sydney media as being a contender for Premier. Rees denied that he was a contender for the role, saying that "Premier Iemma has my rock-solid, unequivocal support and he knows that".{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24001958-5006784,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216035528/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24001958-5006784,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 December 2012|title=Preferred leader Nathan Rees backs Morris Iemma|author1=Norrington, Brad |author2=Salusinszky, Imre |work=The Australian |publisher=News Limited |date=11 July 2008}} Two months after this interview, Morris Iemma was deposed as Premier in favour of Rees.

{{see also|Rees ministry}}

File:Nathan Rees ICANN 35.jpg

Iemma resigned on 5 September 2008 after his own Right faction rebuffed his plans to reshuffle the Cabinet. However, the Right had no credible replacement candidate. It thus agreed to support Rees, a member of the Socialist Left faction.Green, Antony. [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/guide/preview.htm 2011 NSW election preview]. ABC News. Thus, later in the day, Rees was unanimously elected Labor leader, and hence Premier. He was sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, Chief Justice of New South Wales James Spigelman after only nineteen months as a member of parliament. Carmel Tebbutt was elected unanimously as Deputy Leader, and thus Deputy Premier.{{cite news|title=Rees sworn in as NSW Premier |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24299074-29277,00.html |publisher=News Limited |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905181055/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24299074-29277,00.html |archive-date=5 September 2008 }} The following Monday, 8 September, Rees was also sworn in as Minister for the Arts.

A slump in revenues during the 2008 financial crisis compelled Rees and the State Treasurer Eric Roozendaal to implement a mini-budget which was handed down on 11 November 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/11/2415908.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113134852/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/11/2415908.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2008 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |title=Budget blow-out: NSW to reveal $915m deficit |date=11 November 2008 |access-date=17 January 2009 |work=ABC News (Australia)}} 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{{cite web|url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/ssts-update.html |author=New South Wales Ministry of Transport |title=School Student Transport Scheme Update |date=21 December 2008 |access-date=17 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116113302/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/ssts-update.html |archive-date=16 January 2009 }}—and the previously announced North West Metro and South West rail projects were indefinitely postponed.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/11/2416433.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623001424/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/11/2416433.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 June 2009 |author=Dempster, Quentin |title=Analysis: Public confidence in deficit |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | work = ABC News | date=11 November 2008 |access-date=17 January 2009}} 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.{{cite news |title=Rees dismisses leadership rumours |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/16/2467758.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118211153/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/16/2467758.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 January 2009 |author=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |newspaper=ABC News |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=16 January 2009}} 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.

On 14 November 2009, Rees was granted extraordinary powers by the New South Wales Labor State Conference to pick his own cabinet (usually the Labor caucus and Head Office chooses the ministry, and the leader only assigns portfolios).{{cite news |author=Carty, Lisa |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/do-or-die-premier-moves-to-axe-mps-20091114-ifix.html |title=Do or die: Premier moves to axe MPs |date=15 November 2009 |agency = AAP |access-date=15 November 2009 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=Fairfax Media}} The next day Rees sacked Finance Minister (and Labor powerbroker) Joe Tripodi, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald, and Parliamentary Secretaries Henry Tsang and Sonia Hornery for blocking key reforms aimed at distancing the government from corruption and improving the provision of services to constituents and for plotting to remove him from the premiership.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/rees-crackdown-ministers-axed-from-nsw-cabinet-20091115-ig5u.html |title=Rees crackdown: ministers axed from NSW cabinet |date=15 November 2009 |access-date=15 November 2009 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=Fairfax Media}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/449011/sacked-hornery-to-keep-fighting-for-wallsend-centre/ |work=Newcastle Herald |title=Hornery to Keep Fighting |publisher=Fairfax Media |author = Dinneen, Martin |date=17 November 2009 |access-date=20 November 2009}} This was the fourth cabinet reshuffle since Rees took over the premiership.

Rees took over as Premier on 5 September 2008. Eleven days later, Lehman Brothers collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis.

The Rees government responded to the crisis with a three-point plan. Firstly, Rees reaffirmed his government's commitment to the retention of a Triple A credit rating. Rees emphasised that as finance and credit became harder to get around the world, retaining a Triple A credit rating was essential to being able to borrow money at the lowest rates available.{{cite web|title=NSW committed to maintaining AAA credit rating|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/84645/2008.09.26_Treasury_-_NSW_committed_to_maintaining_AAA_credit_rating_-_Standard_and_Poors.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=13 August 2013|date=26 September 2008}} Secondly, as chair of the government's Budget sub-committee, Rees announced there would be a mini-budget which was delivered in November 2008.{{cite web|title=Payroll tax cuts to go ahead|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/84674/2008.09.23_Treasury_-_Payroll_Tax_Cuts_To_Go_Ahead.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=13 August 2013|date=23 September 2013}} The mini-budget delayed a number of large-scale capital works projects with long lead times and instead emphasised capital expenditure on smaller projects which could generate employment more quickly.{{cite web|title=Billion-dollar deficit in NSW mini-budget|url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2008/11/11/24411_national-news.html|publisher=Weekly Times Now|access-date=13 August 2013|date=11 November 2008}} Third, Rees drew industry and business leaders together to conduct a job summit.{{cite news|title=Rees to chair jobs summit in February|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/rees-to-chair-jobs-summit-in-february-20090203-7w9j.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=13 August 2013|date=3 February 2009}} This summit was co-chaired by Roger Corbett, Steve Harkins and David Gonski. In addition to the Work Plan developed by the summit, Rees also announced the establishment of 4,000 government apprenticeships across the state and 2,000 cadetships.{{cite news|title=New apprenticeships, cadetships in NSW|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news/national/new-apprenticeships-cadetships-in-nsw-20090217-89t4.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=13 August 2013|date=17 February 2009}}

After the delivery of the 2009/10 Budget, the AAA credit rating in NSW was reaffirmed by the major credit ratings agencies{{cite web|last=Rees|first=Nathan|title=Budget Response|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20090617016?pen&refNavID-HA8_1|publisher=NSW Hansard|access-date=13 August 2013|date=17 June 2009}} and the agency's outlook for NSW was upgraded from negative to stable.{{cite web|last=Tsang|first=Henry|title=Budget Response|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20090903042|publisher=NSW Hansard|access-date=13 August 2013|date=3 September 2009}} Rees has since claimed that NSW is the only jurisdiction in the world to have improved its credit rating during the 2008 financial crisis.

The 2009/10 Rees Budget had the largest capital works expenditure to date in the State's history, more than $18 billion.{{cite web|title=Budget Overview|url=http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/17565/budover.pdf|publisher=NSW Treasury|access-date=13 August 2013|date=June 2009}}

In his short period as Premier, Rees and his Education Minister, Verity Firth, made substantial changes to the NSW Education system. From 1998 to 2008, there had only been a slight increase in the retention rate for students remaining to complete Year 12, with significant inequality as measured by socio-economic status. In response, in January 2009, Rees announced that he would be increasing the minimum leaving age from 15 to 17 years.{{cite news|title=School leaving age rises to 17|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/school-leaving-age-rises-to-17/2009/01/28/1232818484428.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 August 2013|date=28 January 2009}}

Together with the Federal government, Rees also established 175,000 new training places in the vocational training sector, and provided a training guarantee for apprentices who had had their apprenticeships interrupted.{{cite web|title=175,000 new training places to boost NSW skilled workforce|url=http://Ministers.deewr.gov.au/Gillard/175000-new-training-places-boost-nsw-skilled-workforce|work=Media Release|access-date=14 August 2013|date=26 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319044936/http://ministers.deewr.gov.au/gillard/175000-new-training-places-boost-nsw-skilled-workforce |archive-date=19 March 2012}}

Controversially, Rees also introduced non-religious Ethics classes into primary schools against fierce opposition from church groups.{{cite news|last=Clennell|first=Andrew|title=Rees plans to introduce ethics classes in schools|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/rees-plans-to-introduce-ethics-classes-in-school-20091124-jhef.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 August 2013|date=25 November 2009}}

Shortly after coming to office, the death of an outlaw motorcycle gang member at Sydney airport{{cite news|last=Lawrence|first=Kara|title=Man bashed to death at airport as bikie war escalates.|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/man-bashed-to-death-at-airport-as-bikie-war-escalates/story-fn2mt2ft-1225690761652|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=16 August 2013|date=23 March 2009}} required Rees to introduce controversial laws aimed at banning criminal gangs.{{cite web|title=New assault in the war on outlaw bikie gangs|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/84556/2009.03.31_NEW_ASSAULT_IN_THE_WAR_ON_OUTLAW_BIKIE_GANGS_.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=16 August 2013|date=31 March 2009}} Fierce opposition from civil libertarians followed,{{cite web|last=Cornwall|first=Deborah|title=New bikie laws 'an attack on civil liberties'|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2533733.htm|work=Lateline|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=16 August 2013|date=2 April 2009}} and in June 2011, the High Court ruled against the government.{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Les|title=Bikie law declared invalid as Hells Angel wins challenge|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bikie-law-declared-invalid-as-hells-angel-wins-challenge-20110623-1ggbu.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=16 August 2013|date=23 June 2011}}

In the 09/10 Budget, the NSW police force was provided with $10 million to equip frontline police with Taser stun guns.{{cite web|title=Budget Overview|url=http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/17565/budover.pdf|publisher=NSW Treasury|access-date=16 August 2013|page=5|date=June 2009}}

Rees also introduced measures aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence. These included mandatory lockouts, plastic cups and the naming and shaming of the most violent venues.{{cite web|title=New measures to get tough with alcohol-related violence|url=http://www.sentencingcouncil.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/sentencing/documents/pdf/081030_premiers_media_release_alcohol_related_violence.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=16 August 2013|date=30 October 2008}} In the comparison period, 'glassings' went from 17 incidents in the previous year to one incident after these measures were introduced.

Despite ongoing disputes between criminal gangs, the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reported that in the 24 months to December 2010, ten of the 17 major offence categories were stable and seven were falling.{{cite web|title=NSW Recorded Crime Statistics 2010|url=http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwPrint1/bocsar_mr_res2010|work=Media Release|publisher=Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research|access-date=16 August 2013|date=19 April 2011}}

Building on the environmental legacy of Bob Carr, Rees announced the preservation of the last remaining large tract of River Red Gums in the state's south.{{cite web|title=Premier Rees acts to save River Red Gums|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/84613/2009.12.03_river_red_gums.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=13 August 2013|date=3 December 2009}} This completed the forest preservation program commenced by Carr, who had preserved the North Coast and Brigalow natural heritage areas.{{cite news|last=Duffy|first=Michael|title=Carr's green legacy a black mark|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/green-legacy-a-black-mark/2005/07/29/1122144018993.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=13 August 2013|date=30 July 2005}}

Rees also announced the establishment of Yengo National Park in the Upper Hunter region; 120,000 hectares of pristine bushland, in June 2009.{{cite web|title=Sydney's green chain of wilderness secured with Yengo declaration|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/84597/2009.06.01_Premier_declares_Yengo_wilderness.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=13 August 2013|date=1 June 2009}} Furthermore, the Rees government announced an additional 65,000 hectares of land in Yanga National Park in the Riverina.{{cite web|title=Yanga National Park to provide tourism boost|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-29/yanga-national-park-to-provide-tourism-boost/1698306|publisher=ABC News|access-date=13 August 2013|date=29 May 2009}}

Successive Labor administrations had been criticised for inadequate spending on public transport. Financially restrained from large-scale projects due to the 2008 financial crisis, Rees and his Transport Minister David Campbell determined that massive expansion of the bus network would improve transport options more quickly than large heavy rail expansions.{{cite news|last=Ralston|first=Nick|title=NSW axes NW metro, trims SW rail project|url=http://news.theage.com.au/national/nsw-axes-nw-metro-trims-sw-rail-project-20081031-5eus.html|newspaper=The Age|access-date=19 August 2013|date=31 October 2008}} Accordingly, 450 new buses were ordered.{{cite web|title=Vote of confidence in public transport – passenger numbers up|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/84702/2009.08.06_Public_Transport_patronage.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=19 August 2013|date=6 August 2009}}

Rees also opened the Epping to Chatswood rail line, the first piece of significant rail infrastructure in a decade, and projected usage was quickly outstripped.{{cite news|last=Bibby|first=Paul|title=Epping to Chatswood rail link opens|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/epping-to-chatswood-rail-link-opens-20090223-8fg5.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=19 August 2013|date=23 February 2009}}

In November 2009, Rees announced approval for Stage 2 of the South West Rail Link, a $1.3 billion project to improve public rail services to south western Sydney.{{cite web|title=Rees delivers Stage 2 of South West Rail Link|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/84798/2009.11.14_REES_DELIVERS_STAGE_2_OF_SOUTH_WEST_RAIL_LINK.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=19 August 2013|date=14 November 2009}}

Rees and Campbell enjoyed a close working relationship, and on their watch train service reliability rose to a ten-year high of 95% on-time running.{{cite web|title=More trains arrive on time than ever before|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/84470/2009.07.19_MORE_TRAINS_ARRIVE_ON_TIME_THAN_EVER_BEFORE.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=19 August 2013|date=19 July 2009}} They also announced the restoration of ferry services from the city to Parramatta to ease rail and road congestion.{{cite web|title=Rees seeks private ferry for Parramatta|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-12-02/rees-seeks-private-ferry-for-parramatta/226224|publisher=ABC News|access-date=19 August 2013|date=2 December 2008}} To ease congestion in city centres, free shuttle buses were also introduced into Sydney city and Wollongong.{{cite news|last=Besser|first=Linton|title=Free buses get green light|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/free-buses-get-green-light/2008/12/03/1228257139010.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=19 August 2013|date=4 December 2008}} To encourage public transport use on weekends, the Rees Government introduced $2.50 Family Fun Day fares for Sundays,{{cite web|title=Family Fun on Sundays with cheaper public transport|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/84725/2008.12.12_Family_fun_on_Sundays.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=19 August 2013|date=14 December 2008}} with discount entry to museums and other tourist locations. Rees and Campbell also delivered a simplified fare structure for the rail network and 300 new buses.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Zoie|title=New buses to fill north-west transport void|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-06-18/new-buses-to-fill-north-west-transport-void/1324112|publisher=ABC News|access-date=19 August 2013|date=18 June 2009}}

Rees established the Bureau of Health Information in July 2009 to produce regular and timely reports on the performance of the NSW health system, including waiting lists, and developing and distributing tools to allow users to interrogate data.{{cite web|title=Caring Together: New Health Data Bureau|url=http://www.sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au/Special_Commission_Inquiry/Documents/Response/090330%20Health%20Caring%20Together%20Information%20Bureau%20final%20_%20WEB.pdf|work=Media Release|publisher=Minister for Health|access-date=20 August 2013|date=30 March 2009}}

While often criticised for the performance of hospitals, Rees was able to point to an Australian Government report titled The State of Our Public Hospitals{{cite web|title=The state of our public hospitals|url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/1186FF4200B2B2E6CA2575D9000F73B8/$File/SoOPH%202009.pdf|work=Report|publisher=Australian Department of Health and Ageing|access-date=20 August 2013|date=June 2009}} which in June 2009 reported that NSW had the best elective surgery and emergency department performances in Australia.{{cite web|last=Rees|first=Nathan|title=Government Performance|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20090902011?open&refNavID=HA8_1|work=Hansard|publisher=Parliament of NSW|access-date=20 August 2013|date=2 September 2009}}

Rees also introduced eyesight screening for preschoolers{{cite web|title=100 days, 234 decisions – Premier puts government back to work|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/84813/2008.12.14_Premier_100_Days.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=20 August 2013|date=14 December 2008}} to complement universal hearing tests previously introduced by Craig Knowles.{{cite news|last=Cox|first=Kate|title=Free hearing tests for newborn babies|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/30/1038386361591.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=20 August 2013|date=1 December 2002}}

In November 2009, Rees announced the single largest handback of Aboriginal land in the state's history. The Yuin people of the South Coast of NSW had lodged a claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act for 20,000 hectares bordering the Morton National Park, including Yarramumum and Boolijong Creeks and parts of the Yerriyong State Forest. Rees granted the claim in full.{{cite web|title=Historic Aboriginal land claim settled|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-18/historic-aboriginal-land-claim-settled/1147414|publisher=ABC News|access-date=3 September 2013|date=18 November 2009}}

As Arts Minister, one of Rees early tasks was to announce the establishment of an annual festival, Vivid Sydney.{{cite web|title=Vivid Sydney – a major new event for NSW|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/84818/2009.03.19_Vivid_Sydney_-_a_major_new_event_for_NSW.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=3 September 2013|date=19 March 2009}} Described as a 'festival of lights and ideas', the inaugural curator was Brian Eno, an influential music and album producer. Despite being an international superstar in his own field, the choice of Eno was the subject of derision by sections of the media. Many argued they would have preferred to have Tiger Woods (who was to play golf in Victoria). Rees famously said "I'd rather have Brian Eno for two weeks than Tiger Woods for 3 days".{{cite news|last=Watson|first=Rhett|title=Nathan Rees cops it for wanting Brian Eno over Tiger Woods|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/nathan-rees-cops-it-for-wanting-brian-eno-over-tiger-woods/story-e6frfkp9-1225689998956|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=3 September 2013|date=19 March 2009}}

While Minister for the Arts, Rees also granted independence to the National Art School,{{cite web|title=NSW grants National Art School reprieve|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-01-28/nsw-grants-national-art-school-reprieve/275212|publisher=ABC News|access-date=29 September 2020|date=28 January 2009}} and commenced master planning for a new visual arts centre at the Old King's School site in Parramatta. This latter commitment was retained by Kristina Keneally when she took over as Premier, and it formed the central element of the Arts policy announcement in the 2011 election.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Alexandra|title=Arts the winner but church happy after cash splash|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-election-2011/arts-the-winner-but-church-happy-after-cash-splash-20110303-1bgi2.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=4 September 2013|date=4 March 2011}}

Rees also established the sub-continental festival 'Parramasala' based in Parramatta,{{cite web|title=Parramatta to host new Indian Festival|url=http://archive.eventsnsw.com.au/getattachment/8af5d3f2-a688-443c-9af6-a4855c543639/06-01-10-Parramatta-to-host-new-Indian-Festival.aspx|work=Media Release|access-date=4 September 2013|date=6 January 2010}} and he was instrumental in bringing A.R. Rahman, of Slumdog Millionaire fame, to Sydney for a free open-air concert which attracted more than 50,000 people to Parramatta Park.{{cite web|title=Premier boosts funds for Sydney Festival|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/84643/2009.11.04_Sydney_Festival_Program_2010.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=4 September 2013|date=4 November 2009}}

Acknowledging Labor history, Rees and the Lord Mayor of Sydney officially renamed parts of Hickson Road, The Rocks, as 'The Hungry Mile'.{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Matthew|title=It will always be The Hungry Mile, and now that's official|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/it-will-always-be-the-hungry-mile-and-now-thatx2019s-official-20090730-e33f.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=4 September 2013|date=31 July 2009}} In years past, unemployed men would line up for work each day, thus giving the strip its name. A ceremony recognising the change was held on 29 July 2009.{{cite web|title=The Hungry Mile|url=http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/3943-the-hungry-mile/|work=Media Release|publisher=City of Sydney|access-date=4 September 2013|date=29 July 2009}}

NSW Labor had also been instrumental in holding the asbestos firm James Hardie to account. Under Premier Bob Carr, the Jackson Inquiry precipitated an ongoing fund to be established and maintained by James Hardie to provide for future payouts to sufferers of asbestosis.{{cite news|title=Carr claims credit for Hardie decision|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/14/1092340519993.html?from=storylhs|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=5 September 2013|date=14 August 2004}} James Hardie made inadequate provision, and Rees intervened in 2009 to ensure that affected individuals would be able to claim into the future.{{cite news|last=Drape|first=Julian|title=No excuses not to pay victims, Rudd tells James Hardie|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/no-excuses-not-to-pay-victims-rudd-tells-james-hardie-20091107-i2t1.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=5 September 2013|date=8 November 2009}} A number of directors of James Hardie were ruled ineligible to be directors arising from their role in James Hardie restructures.{{cite news|title=James Hardie appeals court decision|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/james-hardie-appeals-court-decision-20090923-g2kj.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=5 September 2013|date=23 September 2009}}

After 15 years in government, there had been a number of scandals involving Labor ministers which were reported negatively in the press.{{cite web|last=West|first=Andrew|title=How Labor lost New South Wales|url=http://inside.org.au/how-labor-lost-new-south-wales/|publisher=Inside|access-date=5 September 2013|date=30 April 2012}} Rees distanced himself from these with a range of reforms. Rees overhauled the Freedom of Information Act{{cite web|title=Rees acts to end Government 'secrecy'|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf-file/0017/84500/2008.10.23_Premier_Transparent_and_Accountable_Government.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=5 September 2013|date=23 October 2008}} and replaced it with the Government Information (Public Access) Act which had an explicit bias towards public disclosure of documentation and Government information.{{cite web|title=Government Information (Public Access) Bill 2009|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20090617033?open&refNavID=undefined|publisher=Parliament of NSW|access-date=5 September 2013|date=17 June 2009}} Rees also appointed an independent commissioner to oversee the operation of this Act.{{cite web|title=$3 million to establish new Information Commissioner|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/84471/2009.06.17_FOI_legislation.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=5 September 2013|date=17 June 2009}}

In November 2009, Rees announced that he wanted to move towards public funding of election campaigns instead of a reliance on large corporate donations.{{cite news|last=Marriner|first=Cosima|title=Rees leaves it to Bligh on political donations|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/rees-leaves-it-to-bligh-on-political-donations-20091110-i7lk.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=5 September 2013|date=11 November 2009}} To further this, he established a Parliamentary Joint Select Committee which recommended sweeping changes to donation laws. Rees also banned donations from property developers to the NSW Labor Party.{{cite web|title=Donation Reform starts today|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/84566/2009.11.14_Donations.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=5 September 2013|date=14 November 2009}}

Rees also introduced the requirement for lobbyists to be registered and to abide by a Lobbyist Code of Conduct.{{cite web|title=NSW Government Lobbyist Code of Conduct|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/84716/2008.10.29_Premier_NSW_Government_Lobbyist_Code_of_Conduct.pdf|work=Media Release|access-date=5 September 2013|date=29 October 2008}}

{{main|2009 New South Wales Labor Party leadership spill}}

On 3 December 2009, Rees was forced to face a spill motion at a caucus meeting. The motion passed 43 to 25.{{cite news |author=Josh Jerga |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/katrina-keneally-is-catholic-feminist-with-american-twang/story-e6freuy9-1225806750479 |title=Katrina [recte Kristina] Keneally is Catholic feminist with American twang |work=The Daily Telegraph |publisher=News Limited |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=3 December 2009}} In the subsequent leadership vote, the dominant right faction threw its support to Planning Minister Kristina Keneally, who defeated Rees by 47 votes to 21. Earlier that day, Rees said at a press conference, "Should I not be premier by the end of this day, let their be no doubt in the community’s mind. No doubt, that any challenger will be a puppet of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi."{{cite news |author=Salusinszky, Imre | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/christina-keneally-set-to-take-premiers-job/story-e6frg6n6-1225806740689 |title=Kristina Keneally set to take Premier's job |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=3 December 2009 |work=The Australian |publisher=News Limited}}{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26437161-948,00.html |title=Kristina Keneally becomes first female premier of NSW |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=3 December 2009}} On 22 October 2010, Rees was granted by the Governor retention of the title "The Honourable".[http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/Government_Gazette_22_October.pdf New South Wales Government Gazette dated 22 October 2010] Rees is the first New South Wales Labor Party Premier not to take the party into an election. He was also the first NSW Labor leader since Pat Hills who did not lead the party into a general election.

Following his removal as Premier, Rees declined to serve in the Keneally Cabinet, and went to the backbench until the March 2011 election.{{cite news|last=Clennell|first=Andrew|title=Plotters take back power in reshuffle|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/plotters-take-back-power-in-reshuffle-20091204-kb6u.html|newspaper=The Age|access-date=11 August 2013|date=5 December 2009}}

The Keneally government was heavily defeated at the 2011 state election. Rees nearly lost his own seat, suffering a massive 14.2 percent swing and surviving by only 205 votes. By comparison, he'd won election in 2007 with 64.5 percent of the two-party vote; he was one of several MPs from Labor's traditional stronghold of west Sydney who saw their majorities more than halved. Following the election, new Opposition leader John Robertson appointed Rees as Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Shadow Minister for the Arts in his Shadow Cabinet.

In 2013, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) commenced public hearings into the allegations of corrupt conduct by Ian Macdonald and Eddie Obeid. Both men had been instrumental in the removal of Rees as Premier.{{cite news|last=McClymont|first=Kate|title=Discredited, despised, but still pulling all the strings|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/discredited-despised-but-still-pulling-all-the-strings-20091203-k8up.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=11 August 2013|date=4 December 2009}} The ICAC findings released after the hearings were scathing of both men. Both Macdonald and Obeid were found to have acted corruptly by the ICAC, who recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions give consideration to criminal charges being laid against both men. Rees repeatedly stressed he did not feel vindicated, but rather was distressed that the Party and its members had been subject to the smear of association with those who had been investigated.{{cite news|title=Eddie Obeid, Ian Macdonald acted corruptly, ICAC finds|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/eddie-obeid-ian-macdonald-acted-corruptly-icac-finds-20130731-2qy67.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=12 August 2013|author=Rachel Olding and Georgina Waters|date=31 July 2013}}

On 28 March 2014, after resigning from the Shadow Cabinet, Rees announced that he would be retiring from politics and would not contest the next state election in 2015. This was likely prompted by a redistribution that seemingly made his seat impossible to hold. The bulk of his old seat of Toongabbie had been transferred into a recreated Seven Hills, notionally a fairly safe Liberal seat.{{cite news |last1=Clennell |first1=Andrew |title=Former NSW Premier Nathan Rees has announced that he will retire from parliament at the next election|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/former-nsw-premier-nathan-rees-has-announced-he-will-retire-from-parliament-at-the-next-election/story-fni0cx12-1226867531224|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 May 2014|date=28 March 2014}}

In October 2014, following his announcement to retire from politics, Rees took up a position as the chief executive of the Public Education Foundation (PEF), a non-profit organisation that provides scholarships to disadvantaged students to support them to stay at school: "The public education system in NSW is very strong but this foundation will allow those kids who may not have the resources to buy the extra book or the bit of software they need."{{cite news|last1=Browne|first1=Rachel|title=Nathan Rees to take up new role as CEO of the Public Education Foundation|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nathan-rees-to-take-up-new-role-as-ceo-of-the-public-education-foundation-20140905-10d11z.html#ixzz3ChctSLAG|access-date=14 March 2016|agency=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 September 2014}}

After leaving the PEF, Rees was subsequently appointed as the National Assistant Secretary of the Finance Sector Union (FSU) in May 2017 where he worked until early 2021. Rees then joined MetLife Australia as Head of External Affairs & Public Policy.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In August 2022, the NSW Government appointed Rees as chair of Transport Heritage NSW until 31 May 2025.{{cite web | url=https://www.thnsw.com.au/post/appointment-of-new-thnsw-chair | title=Appointment of new THNSW Chair | publisher=Transport Heritage NSW | date=2022-08-11 | access-date=2022-08-23}}

Rees is a non-practising Roman Catholic and proudly describes himself as "a westie". He met his wife, Stacey Haines, at Northmead High School when they were both aged 14.{{cite web|title=Nathan Rees MP |url=http://www.nswalp.com/labor-people/5/17/nathan-rees-mp |publisher=New South Wales Labor Party |work=Labor People |access-date=5 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907215400/http://www.nswalp.com/labor-people/5/17/nathan-rees-mp |archive-date=7 September 2008 }} Rees and Haines married in a ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau in New York City on 7 January 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24882991-26103,00.html |title = NSW Premier Nathan Rees weds in secret New York ceremony | work = The Daily Telegraph | date = 7 January 2009}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Rees is a supporter of NRL club Parramatta Eels.

{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Member for Toongabbie|years=2007{{spaced ndash}}2015}}

{{s-non|reason=Seat abolished}}

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{{s-bef|before=Tony Kelly}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister for Emergency Services|years=2007{{spaced ndash}}2008}}

{{s-aft|after=Tony Kelly}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Minister for Water Utilities|years=2007{{spaced ndash}}2008}}

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{{s-bef|before=Himself|as=Minister for Water Utilities}}

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{{s-bef|before=Phil Koperberg|as=Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Premier of New South Wales|years=2008{{spaced ndash}}2009}}

{{s-aft|after=Kristina Keneally}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Minister for the Arts|years= 2008{{spaced ndash}}2009}}

{{s-aft|after=Virginia Judge}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Minister for the Central Coast|years=2009}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales|years=2008{{spaced ndash}}2009}}

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{{s-end}}

{{Premiers of New South Wales}}

{{Leaders of the Labor Party in NSW}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rees, Nathan}}

Category:1968 births

Category:Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of New South Wales

Category:Australian republicans

Category:Australian Roman Catholics

Category:Labor Left politicians

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly

Category:People from Parramatta

Category:Politicians from Sydney

Category:Premiers of New South Wales

Category:21st-century Australian politicians

Category:University of Sydney alumni

Category:Ministers for the arts (New South Wales)

Category:Ministers for emergency services (New South Wales)