Nathan Rees found himself on the back foot all day as the challenge rose and eventually succeeded. Picture: NICK MOIR

Treasurer Eric Roozendaal rises to make a point on the floor during Question Time yesterday. Picture: PETER RAE

Joe Tripodi, recently sacked by Nathan Rees, walks the corridors yesterday. Picture: BRENDAN ESPOSITO

NSW's first female premier Kristina Keneally.

Illawarra MPs who played leading roles in a move against embattled NSW Premier Nathan Rees defended their actions last night and threw their support behind the new premier.Wollongong MP Noreen Hay, Shellharbour MP Lylea McMahon and Kiama MP Matt Brown signed a request for the special caucus meeting held last night.The Illawarra MPs were among 17 signatories from Labor's Right faction to sign.

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Kristina Keneally the first female NSW PremierMs Hay, who later chaired the Right faction meeting that decided on Kristina Keneally over Frank Sartor, said she signed the request to "clear the air" after Mr Rees' comments early yesterday, which included a dig at MPs labelled powerbrokers by some."I never think it's a bad thing to clear the air," she said. "I would have supported whoever won."Mr Brown said he signed because "people wanted the leadership issue resolved".He would not confirm reports he was a supporter of Mr Sartor."There's lists of supposed supporters everywhere, all different," he said. "I'm looking forward to working with Kristina ... she has shown she is very competent."Ms McMahon said it was "an opportunity for a new start".In September last year, Mr Rees demanded the resignation of Mr Brown, then police and Illawarra minister, for dancing in his underwear at a Parliament House party.At the time Ms Hay was also dismissed by Mr Rees from her role as parliamentary secretary to the health minister, but the premier said it was not related to any actions by her at that party.But in October this year Mr Rees promoted Ms Hay to the chair of the Standing Committee on Natural Resource Management (climate change).Keira MP David Campbell and Heathcote MP Paul McLeay, who are both Right faction members and ministers, were not among those calling for caucus to meet.Mr McLeay declared the state's first female premier "a friend of the Illawarra" last night, despite earlier declining support for the meeting that had her elected.One of two Illawarra politicians to favour the status quo, Mr McLeay nonetheless fell into line by day's end, with kind words for Ms Keneally and Mr Rees."I think Kristina certainly represents good, strong working values and that she will certainly be a friend of the Illawarra," he said. "There is no doubt that Nathan was an excellent friend of the Illawarra and Kristina will build on that good work." The Ports Minister played down Mr Rees' scathing comments indicating puppet masters controlled the party. "I think the fact that the caucus decisions was very strong for Kristina proved that it was more than just a few people that control it," he said. "It wasn't a couple of people pulling the strings."Asked if he expected to retain the ports portfolio, he replied: "I hope so. I understand the (activity) today was only about premier and it wasn't to affect other positions."Mr Campbell could not be reached for comment last night.

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