LABOR faced electoral annihilation if they had stuck with Nathan Rees as Premier, Parramatta State Labor MP Tanya Gadiel has told the Parramatta Advertiser.

In an extraordinary week in state politics which saw the elevation of US-born Kristina Keneally, Ms Gadiel denied she had Mr Rees’s blood on her hands, despite being one of 17
MPs who signed a motion which led to his downfall.

Asked what role she played in the axing of Mr Rees, Ms Gadiel said, “none’’.

“I was only ever supportive of Nathan,’’ she said.

“But the Labor Party made a very difficult decision.

“Under Nathan’s leadership we were staring at electoral oblivion. That is the sad reality.

“The problem is he wasn’t cutting through to the electorate.

“It was a very difficult decision and it was not taken lightly. And I felt gutted for him as a person.’’

But shortly after the Labor caucus meeting which elevated Ms Keneally to the state’s job, Ms Gadiel, 37, was seen close behind Ms Keneally and Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt as they faced the media.

It prompted speculation that Ms Gadiel was a key player in the plot to topple Mr Rees and was angling for a spot on the front bench.

“There was nothing sinister, it was definitely a case of girl power,’’ said Ms Gadiel, of the party’s right wing.

“I walked out with a lot of other female MPs because we are delighted to see the first female Premier of this state.

“As she walked by Kristina said, `let’s go girls’.

“I’ve not been promised anything, I am very happy with my role as Deputy Speaker.

“I have no expectations. But if I was offered it, it would be something I would seriously consider.’’

Despite four premiers in four years, and after more than 14 years in power, Ms Gadiel said Labor was still in with a chance to win the March 2011 election.

“Naturally it is a tough ask because of the time we have been in office (April 1995),’’ she said.

“But I believe we can win the next election and I will be inviting the new premier to Parramatta as soon as I can.

“Kristina is no stranger to Parramatta but it will be good to get her out here to talk about some of the things we need to change.’’

Ms Keneally was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and raised in Toledo, Ohio, before moving to Australia in 1994.

But Ms Gadiel said she did not think her US background would hurt electorally.

“She fell in love with an Aussie, that’s not a crime,’’ Ms Gadiel said.

BORGER SAYS . . .

* GRANVILLE State Labor MP David Borger, who is a factional ally of Mr Rees, said he felt bad for the former Premier on a personal level.

“I think Nathan Rees gave the job everything he had in what is obviously a very difficult job,’’ Mr Borger told the Advertiser on Monday afternoon.

“Politics is a brutal game.

“But I also want to say that I fully support Kristina Keneally, who is dedicated to improving services.’’