Kristina Keneally Kristina Keneally Kristina Kerscher Keneally (born 19 December 1968) is an Australian politician who has been a Senator for New South Wales since February 2018, representing the Labor Party. She previously served as Premier of New South Wales from 2009 to 2011, the first woman to hold the position. Keneally was born in the United States to an American father and an Australian mother. She grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and is a graduate of the University of Dayton. After marrying an Australian, Ben Keneally, she settled in Australia permanently and became a naturalised citizen in 2000. Keneally was elected
Kristina Keneally enough primary votes to win without the need for preferences. With Labor's defeat beyond doubt, Keneally resigned as premier and state Labor leader on election night and announced she would return to the backbench. Accepting responsibility for the worst defeat of a sitting government in NSW's history, Keneally said, "The truth is the people of NSW, who entrusted us with government for 16 years, did not leave us. We left them." On 11 June 2011, Keneally was granted by the Governor retention of the title "The Honourable". On 23 June 2012, Keneally announced her resignation from the New South Wales