By Angela Dorizas

New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees has dumped two senior ministers from cabinet after gaining approval from the State Labor Conference to choose his own ministry.

Mr Rees announced the resignation of Finance Minister Joe Tripodi and Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald over the weekend. Henry Tsang also resigned as a Parliamentary Secretary.

Mr Rees thanked Mr Tripodi and Mr Macdondald for their contributions in a statement released on Sunday.

“I acknowledge in particular Mr Tripodi’s stewardship of the Government’s energy reforms, housing and port reforms including the expansion of Port Botany and securing a solution for the Newcastle Coal Loader,” he said.

“I thank Mr Macdonald for his contribution in Primary Industries and Investment including attracting new film productions for the State.”

Mr Tripodi and Mr Macdonald said the Premier asked for their resignation without giving any reason. They both plan to remain in Parliament on the backbench.

Heathcote MP Paul McLeay has been elevated to cabinet and handed Mr Tripodi’s porfolio of Ports and Waterways, while Planning Minister Kristina Kenneally has also been made responsbile for Infrastructure.

Upper house MP Peter Primose has been appointed Minister for Mineral Resources and Regulatory Reform and Minister for Lands Tony Kelly has taken on Primary Industries.

Addressing the State Labor Conference, Mr Rees called for delgates to follow the lead of the Rudd and Bligh Governments, by giving him the authority to pick his own cabinet.

“Our first Labor Prime Minister, Chris Watson, was given the power to select his own Cabinet,’’ Mr Rees told conference delegates.

“That tradition has recently been revived by Kevin Rudd and Anna Bligh, the consequence of two handsome election victories they recently won for our Party.

“I come before you today to seek the same authority. Not after an election victory but in order to win one.’’

Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell said the Premier’s cabinet reshuffle was not a decision based on merit, but a “squaring up with factions within the caucus”.

“It’s a pretence of change within the Government but there is no change,” Mr O’Farrell said.