Mr Iemma was under siege on every front. His was a government struggling to inject life into dilapidated and overrun infrastructure: hospitals, schools and the transport network.

Last week the State Opposition delivered the Iemma government a debilitating blow by blocking his attempt to privatise power assets. And Mr Iemma then had to deal with the disenchantment of his treasurer Michael Costa, the resignation of one of the government's leading lights in his deputy John Watkins and the spectre of a state economy under extreme pressure.

Mr Iemma knew the end was nigh.

In assessing his legacy, Mr Iemma referred to his record on infrastructure and the boost to mental health services.

Although it is regarded as poor form to speak ill of the dearly departed, Mr Iemma's record in the Illawarra was not impressive.

Mr Iemma cannot be solely blamed for the Premier State degenerating into the State of Woeful Infrastructure. This situation has occurred because of the lack of foresight and investment on the part of successive governments.

However, under this administration the Illawarra has hardly received a fresh coat of paint, let alone seen the parlous state of key services addressed. The mental health service Mr Iemma refers to, for instance, is close to breakdown in Wollongong. And it is an indictment on the State Government that the region's leadership sees the Federal Government as the main hope for money for significant new works.

In new Premier Nathan Rees, there is the opportunity to start afresh. But the former garbo will need to marshall a new team and forge a new direction.

Among those who may get added responsibilities is the hard-working Minister for the Illawarra and Police, David Campbell, and we believe the region can only stand to benefit from his elevation.

That said, Mr Rees has a massive task before him and not the luxury of time.

We wish him well for the sake of the state.