Tripodi loses ports role as Rees wields axe

The shock cabinet reshuffle followed a decision at the NSW Labor Party conference on Saturday to arm Mr Rees with the power to choose his own cabinet.

The move ended a long-running tradition of allowing the party factions to influence ministerial appointments.

Hours after being given the go-ahead, Mr Rees called Mr Tripodi — whose portfolio responsibilities included ports, infrastructure and finance — and asked for his resignation.

Primary industries minister Ian Macdonald suffered the same fate and will also move to the back bench.

Upper House MP Peter Primrose and the member for Heathcote, Paul McLeay, were expected to be promoted.

Mr McLeay was this morning touted as a possible new ports minister.

Mr Tripodi said he was surprised at the decision but the right-wing powerbroker ruled out an attempt to undermine the premier's leadership.

''Premier Rees has never, ever raised with me concerns about my performance as a minister, ever,'' Mr Tripodi told reporters in Sydney yesterday.

''If anything he's been nothing but complimentary and supportive.

"I didn't expect this at all."

Mr Tripodi said he had been "nothing but supportive" of Mr Rees's leadership, having helped install him following the resignation of Morris Iemma last year.

Prime minister Kevin Rudd welcomed the reshuffle.

''The days when someone who was a factional powerbroker behind the scenes should dictate the show, should be stuck in the past,'' Mr Rudd said.