NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced he is stepping away from politics. Vision courtesy ABC News 24.
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“In my maiden speech in 2007, I said I was entering politics to make a difference in people’s lives - not to become another career politician.
After ten years in politics - three as Treasurer and three as Premier - I am making good on that pledge and announcing my retirement from public office.”
Reaction around the state
NSW Farmers: Peak organisation representing New South Wales farmers’ have thanked outgoing state Premier Mike Baird for his contribution to agriculture.
President of NSW Farmers Derek Schoen said he thanked Mike Baird’s contribution to helping New South Wales over the past 10 years.
NSW Farmers would like to thank Premier Mike Baird for the contribution he has made to New South Wales over the past 10 years.
Mr Schoen said under Baird’s leadership, regional New South Wales was allocated six billion dollars for major infrastructure projects that will benefit the agricultural sector. Read more.
Hunter Region: After Mike Baird’s shock announcement to quit politics on Thursday morning, Hunter MPs and prominent business people are speaking out. Read more.
Save our Rail president Joan Dawson has welcomed the resignation of Mike Baird, saying the former premier has left a “disgraceful” legacy in Newcastle and his decision to truncate the heavy rail line had “decapitated” the city.
Bathurst MP and Local Government Minister Paul Toole: “I wouldn’t say I’m worried [that the mergers might be dumped] but I will have to work with the new premier and any new policy as we go forward,” he said. Read more.
Troy Grant MP: Mr Grant, who stepped down as NSW Nationals leader following the party’s loss in the Orange by-election, was not surprised by Mr Baird’s departure.
But he told reporters in Sydney he was disappointed to see his “great mate” leave politics.
“I was enormously proud to serve as his deputy premier,” Mr Grant said.
“We achieved incredible things for this state, and it's a sad day for NSW more than anything. Read more.
Deputy premier John Barilaro has acknowledged the announcement by Mike Baird to resign as NSW Premier, paying tribute to his great leadership.
“I have always admired him as a politician who brought a fresh approach and strong direction to the NSW Government and Cabinet.
“In the short time I have been in the role of Deputy Premier and Leader of the NSW Nationals I have enjoyed working alongside him and congratulate him on delivering for the state of NSW.
“I’m excited by the prospects ahead and look forward to working with the new premier with a new Cabinet, which will bring with it a fresh look, new energy and impetus to take the NSW Coalition Government into the 2019 election.”
Former Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson: Mike Baird’s legacy as NSW Premier is not one former Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson would be proud of.
Mr Baird listed job creation, economic rejuvenation and boosts to frontline services and infrastructure as major achievements of his government when he announced his resignation on Thursday.
But Mr Dickerson, who lost his position as the city’s mayor when Dubbo and Wellington councils were forcibly amalgamated in 2016, said regional NSW hadn’t really benefited from Mr Baird’s leadership. Read more.
Merimbula-Eden Liberals: Andrew Constance “would put a rose in every cheek” says the cheeky branch president of the Merimbula-Eden Liberals.
Jon Gaul was speaking to the two big news items of Thursday morning, when news of NSW Premier Mike Baird’s resignation came hot on the heels of Bega Cheese’s purchase of Vegemite.
Mr Gaul said Mr Baird’s resignation was “not entirely a surprise” and the question now was more of who would replace him. Read more.
Malcolm Turnbull MP has congratulated Baird on his ‘innings’.
NSW Speaker Shelley Hancock describes the resignation of NSW Premier Mike Baird as “a dark day for NSW”.
“I am gutted, completely gutted. I’m really sickened,” an emotional Mrs Hancock said.
She said social media had made life intolerable for politicians, including Mr Baird.
“Who would go into politics these days?”
She said the negative social media comments directed at Mr Baird have “sickened and saddened” her. Read more.
Will Gladys Berejiklian be the new premier?
Gladys Berejiklian is clearly the front-runner to replace Mr Baird, former Liberal leader Peter Debnam has just told Sky News: "She's a very determined person".
It was only a few years ago that she was backed by another retiring Premier, Barry O'Farrell, whose plans were scotched by Mr Baird.
Alternative leaders canvassed on Macquarie Street in recent months include Planning Minister Rob Stokes .
Fairfax Media's state political editor Sean Nicholls foreshadowed Mike Baird's possible retirement in a column in November.
"Despite a push from new Nationals leader John Barilaro to reshuffle before Christmas, Baird is determined to hold off until early next year," Nicholls wrote.
"It has caused many to ask why, given it will leave the cabinet in limbo until at least the end of January.
"But it's not out of question to suggest it is also designed to give Baird time to assess his future and whether it's nearing time to step down and allow an orderly transition of power.
"The proposition is not as ridiculous as it sounds."
Indeed. Nicholls reckons Gladys Berejiklian would make the ideal successor:
"Berejiklian survived the transport portfolio intact and as Treasurer has overseen massive surpluses and been a driving force behind the government's power privatisations.
"She has a great story to tell as the publicly educated daughter of working-class Armenian migrants.
"Handing the baton to Berejiklian would nullify one of Labor's expected attacks in the 2019 campaign – that Baird will quit Parliament as soon as the election is won and return to the private sector.
Mike Baird announces his retirement
Mike Baird has announced he is retiring from politics on Twitter at 9.05am on Thursday.
In a statement, the NSW premier said the halfway mark of the current term of government was the “perfect time” to hand the reins over to a new premier.
“Serving as Premier of NSW has been a tremendous honour, but I have made clear from the beginning that I was in politics to make a difference, and then move on. After 10 years in public life, this moment for me has arrived.
“We have repaired the State budget, rejuvenated the economy, created jobs in unprecedented numbers, boosted frontline services and unleashed an infrastructure boom in Sydney and the regions, which everyone can see with their own eyes.
“As a result, the agenda that I entered public life to establish is being implemented. What matters now is that the new Cabinet should have time to settle in and reaffirm its own agenda ahead of the election in 2019 -- because only the Liberals & Nationals can be trusted to manage the continuation of the economic recovery and the infrastructure boom.”
Next week there will be a Liberal party-room meeting and a spill of leadership positions.
Mr Baird said there would be a a Liberal party-room meeting and a spill of leadership positions and following that meeting, he would resign from parliament, effective immediately.
Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian is considered a front-runner to take over as NSW Premier.