The ministry was formed following a caucus motion to elect a new Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales, where Keneally defeated her party colleague, the 41st Premier, Nathan Rees.

[2][3][4] The ministry was sworn in on 8 December 2009 at Government House by the Governor of New South Wales Marie Bashir.

[5] A few days earlier, on 4 December 2009, Keneally and her Deputy, Carmel Tebbutt were sworn in by the Governor, as Premier and Deputy Premier respectively at a ceremony also held at Government House.

[1] This ministry covers the period from 4 December 2009 until 28 March 2011 when the 2011 state election was held, resulting in the loss of Labor to the Coalition; with the O'Farrell ministry gaining government.

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Keneally on 8 December 2009.