Changes

The NSW ALP branch is currently in power, but have been heavily criticized in the media and in the general public due to factional wars and the debt accumulated in recent years. There have been four premiers in as many years. On 3 December 2009 Kristina Keneally was elected leader of the Labour Party and ultimately premier, beating Nathan Rees who himself succeeded Morris Iemma after he resigned when his bill to privatize the states electricity was rejected by the majority of delegates within his own party. <ref>http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/03/2234589.htm</ref> She is the first American-born Austrian and the first woman to hold that position. Recent polls have placed her party at low levels--in some case close to 25% on primary votes. <ref>http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/sack-the-nsw-labor-executive-before-its-too-late/story-e6frg6zo-1225816066089</ref> <ref>http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/nsw-labor-to-be-wiped-out-at-poll-union-20091204-kap7.html</ref>.  

The NSW ALP branch lost power in 2011 in a landslide victory for the Conservatives, foreshadowing their upcoming defeat in the federal election. There have been four premiers in as many years. On 3 December 2009 Kristina Keneally was elected leader of the Labour Party and ultimately premier, beating Nathan Rees who himself succeeded Morris Iemma after he resigned when his bill to privatize the states electricity was rejected by the majority of delegates within his own party. <ref>http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/03/2234589.htm</ref> She is the first American-born Austrian and the first woman to hold that position. Recent polls have placed her party at low levels--in some case close to 25% on primary votes. <ref>http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/sack-the-nsw-labor-executive-before-its-too-late/story-e6frg6zo-1225816066089</ref> <ref>http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/nsw-labor-to-be-wiped-out-at-poll-union-20091204-kap7.html</ref>.  

A recent study has labelled the economy of NSW the worst in the country, having grown at only 0.2% compared to the national average of 1.1%. The region's share of the national economy has fallen from 36% during the 2000 Sydney [[Olympics]] to 32% in June, 2009 <ref>http://www.smh.com.au/business/nsw-still-the-dunce-in-the-economy-class-20100111-m2nq.html</ref>

A recent study has labelled the economy of NSW the worst in the country, having grown at only 0.2% compared to the national average of 1.1%. The region's share of the national economy has fallen from 36% during the 2000 Sydney [[Olympics]] to 32% in June, 2009 <ref>http://www.smh.com.au/business/nsw-still-the-dunce-in-the-economy-class-20100111-m2nq.html</ref>