ALP will need more than new leader to heal

When asked about his political future, deposed NSW Premier Nathan Rees retorted that he was going to take a deep breath for a few moments.That's something the fractured NSW parliamentary Labor Party would be well advised to emulate given the tumultuous events which yesterday culminated in MP Kristina Keneally's swearing-in as the state's first female premier.Political assassinations have become the hallmark of a Government racked with factional hatred and personal discord.After her swearing-in at Government House, Mrs Keneally pledged to unite the party and tackle with renewed vigour the vexing issues facing the Government - most notably public transport, hospitals and aged care.It has been a bruising time for the Labor Government since Bob Carr ended his 10-year reign in August 2005, with Mrs Keneally being the third premier since his departure.The scars left on the NSW ALP by Mr Rees' knifing will be deep and take a long time to heal.Mrs Keneally has some enormous challenges ahead, not least the prospect of a resounding defeat at the next state election in 15 months' time.Only the most outrageous optimist would believe there is enough time for a new premier to unite her parliamentary team and restore dwindling public confidence.