Rees To Fly Out For Secret Us Wedding

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday December 22, 2008

Alexandra Smith

NATHAN REES and his fiancee, Stacey Haines, are so determined to keep their wedding a private affair they will fly to the US this week to tie the knot.

While details of the impending nuptials have been a closely guarded secret, it is understood Mr Rees and his childhood sweetheart will have a small ceremony just after Christmas Day.

It is not surprising the couple have decided to flee Australia to exchange vows. Since she was reluctantly thrown into the public eye when her long-term partner unexpectedly became premier, the publicity-shy Ms Haines has scarcely been seen.

The last time she was spotted was when she stood by his side at his first news conference on September 5 as he took over from Morris Iemma. She admitted she was "very excited and a little overwhelmed" about his new job.

At that news conference Mr Rees, 40, declared he and Ms Haines were "engaged and getting married later this year . . . no children but we're trying".

He added: "We met as school kids many years ago, and I love her to bits."

Ms Haines has worked hard to escape the glare of the media. Sources have said Mr Rees has promised his fiancee there would be no media at their wedding and his staff have been sworn to secrecy about their plans.

A spokeswoman for Mr Rees said his office would not be confirming any details of the wedding and asked that the Premier's privacy be respected.

He will take just over two weeks' leave from Christmas Eve. Carmel Tebutt will be acting Premier while he is away.

Mr Rees has been going out with Ms Haines for 18 years. They met as 14-year-olds at Northmead High, when Mr Rees played the "undertaker's pimply apprentice in the school production of Oliver".

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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