The Rees Labor ministry was formed following the resignation of Premier Morris Iemma on 5 September 2008 and the unanimous election of Rees as Leader of the Labor caucus and Carmel Tebbutt as Deputy Leader.

The rest of the ministry was sworn in on 8 September 2008 at Government House by the Lieutenant Governor, James Spigelman AC.

[c][d][e] John Della Bosca resigned from the ministry on 31 August 2009,[f] prompting a reshuffle in which Rees punished those who had plotted against him as leader.

[7][g][h][i][j][k][l][m] [n] In November 2009 the Labor state conference gave Rees the power to choose his own cabinet and he responded by sacking Joe Tripodi and Ian Macdonald.

[8][o][p] 17 days later a Labor caucus revolt saw Kristina Keneally succeeded Rees as Premier.