Kristina Keneally Resigns from NSW Parliament

Ms Keneally thanked the people of NSW for the honour of serving them as Premier, and as a Minister in the portfolios of Ageing, Disability Services, Redfern Waterloo, Infrastructure, and Planning.

She also expressed her appreciation to the families and businesses of Heffron who gave her a vote of confidence at three consecutive State elections.

"I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I was given to serve the community as Premier and a Minister,” Ms Keneally said.

“And I also want to thank those people in my electorate and across the State who placed their trust in me.

“While my mother and grandmother were both born here, I came to Australia as a migrant. To have had the chance to run for office, represent my local area, and serve as a Minister and Premier of the great state of NSW is both a great privilege and a humbling reminder of the welcome and opportunity that Australia and its people provide to new arrivals.”

Ms Keneally will take up the position of Chief Executive Officer at Basketball Australia later next month.

“I’ve loved working with Basketball Australia during my time as Chair – we’ve achieved a lot in a short space of time, including a new and improved NBL television deal with Channel 10, the establishment of the WNBL Commission, and return of the NBL All Stars game.  Naturally, I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work as CEO,” Ms Keneally said.

“We’re on the brink of such an exciting time for basketball in Australia. With the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics, our teams are set to strut on the world stage.

“Australia is ranked as one of the top-five basketball playing nations in the world; our success at an international level is something other Australian codes can only dream about. It’s something to be proud of, and we’re going to capitalise on it in a big way.”

Ms Keneally said the decision to resign as Member for Heffron was not one she took lightly.

"I know the people of Heffron asked me again at the 2011 election to represent them as a Labor MP, and I take seriously that responsibility,” Ms Keneally said.

“I am proud of the passion, determination and commitment that I was able to bring to my roles as local member, Minister and Premier.

“Even on the toughest days as Premier, I always had the strength to get back up again and keep working for the people of NSW.

“Put simply, after nearly a decade in Parliament, I now acknowledge that it is time for a new phase in my life.

“As I said in my inaugural speech – I believe in living life with passion – and I believe the people of Heffron deserve a member who will fight for their interests with one hundred per cent determination and commitment. I am stepping aside so that may happen.”

Ms Keneally said she first stood for Parliament in 2003 as a candidate for the Australian Labor Party because she believed in the principles of social justice, the importance of community, and a fair go for all.

“There is no greater honour than serving the people of NSW as Premier. As I’ve said before, I truly believe NSW is the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family,” Ms Keneally said.

"Enacting Labor principles in Government, especially in areas like disability services where our Stronger Together funding fundamentally changed the landscape for the better, has been the most significant part of my political career.

"I'm proud to have led a Labor Government that lowered public transport fares under MyZone, secured billions of dollars of new federal funds for the health system, kept the state budget in surplus and restored the State’s AAA credit rating in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

"None of this was achieved alone.  I thank my Cabinet, parliamentary colleagues, State Party officials and all the staff who have worked with me, for their shared commitment to the Australian Labor Party and for their support over many years.

“I’d like to pay particular tribute to the rank and file of the Labor Party who continually volunteer their time and effort to keep our party strong and progressive at all levels within Australian politics.

“I've worked with many fine and passionate people in both government and the Labor Party, and I have learnt much from them.”

Ms Keneally also gratefully thanked her husband, Ben and their two sons, Brendan and Daniel, for their constant support.

Ms Keneally said she hopes her announcement today presents the Labor Party with a chance to continue to renew its team in the NSW Parliament. 

"As Premier, I put in place a determined push to renew the Labor Party's parliamentary ranks. That call for renewal applies to me just as much as it applies to anyone else,” Ms Keneally said.

“By stepping away now, I offer the ALP the chance to send to Parliament a new and energetic member who can contribute to the next Labor Government in NSW.”

Source: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s153/sh/274aa44c-c5ee-4abf-a549-75f436f578be/8db602786199a8ac2be0fa07257133e1

Also see: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/keneally-quits-politics-to-take-top-basketball-spot-20120623-20ubg.html