‘Perfect time for me to hand the reins over’: NSW Premier Mike Baird announces retirement
MIKE Baird’s shock announcement to retire comes as no surprise to his family, with his father Bruce — a former state and federal politician — revealing his son’s decision to quit politics was made several weeks ago.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- How Mike Baird’s Premiership was rooted in family and friendship
- Baird was a ‘dictator’ who ‘had to go’
- Family first for Baird
PREMIER Mike Baird has dramatically announced his retirement after just two years and nine months in the state’s top job.
The 48-year-old cited the health of his father, mother and sister as he stepped down this morning.
Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, who he met this morning for a coffee, is the firm favourite to take over as Premier.
It is expected she will put out a statement this afternoon declaring she is running for the leadership of the Liberal Party — and the Premier’s job.
Mr Baird said he had made his decision, after consulting with his wife Kerryn, but would continue to be actively involved in politics and would vote for the new leader.
He said he was “incredibly proud” of his achievements but it was time for a “refresh” that didn’t involve him.
His father Bruce, who was the primary carer for his mother who has muscular dystrophy, has gone through open-heart surgery. His sister has had a re-occurrence of cancer.
The former state and federal politician said he is enormously proud of his son Mike of the success he made of his time as premier of NSW.
“He’s done an outstanding job in lots of areas and had the guts to take on tough issues, which is never easy,” Mr Baird senior told The Manly Daily.
“Nor has he ever forgotten that he’s the Member of Manly and he has looked after the interests of the electorate.
“His main legacies as premier will be of infrastructure and the sale of the poles and wires to provide more funding for that infrastructure, on returning the budget to surplus and on making NSW the number one growth state in the nation.”
While the premier spoke during his press conference of the difficult times ahead for his family, including Mr Baird Snr who has undergone recent heart surgery, his father said they were not the only reasons his son had decided to walk away from politics.
“But he’s made it clear that he would have more time to help during the times ahead and it will be appreciated,” he said.
He also revealed his son’s decision to quit politics was made several weeks ago after discussions with his family and that he had simply been waiting for the right time to go public.
“I’m very proud of him, as is his mum,” he said.
In his speech in front of his family Premier Baird said: “It has taken a lot of deliberation — but I strongly believe it is the right decision.”
“Really, there are a couple of reasons for that. In my maiden speech, I spoke about wanting to come into public life to make a difference.
“I was frustrated by what I saw — a lack of action — and I was determined to try and get things done.
“After 10 years in public life, three years as Treasurer and three years as premier, I think now is the right time to do this.
“Secondly, there is a strong personal cost that comes in public life.”
“I probably felt that more than any other time in the past few weeks. My father and mother and sister are going through very serious health challenges This will change today.”
The premier hugged his wife and three children today as the press conference wound up.
He said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife Kerryn, and children Laura, Cate and Luke.
He said he was keen to play football with his son and to walk his oldest daughter down the aisle.
Mr Baird, who became premier in April 2014, announced via Twitter just after 9am this morning that he was retiring from politics and held a press conference at 10am.
“It’s been an honour to serve you, NSW,” he tweeted.
Mr Baird said he is confident the Liberal party can “win the next election”.
“The important point is that part of the reason for a refresh, every organisation needs to refresh ... I think refreshing now gives a new Premier two years, an opportunity for them to put their mark and set an agenda that is theirs,” Mr Baird said.
“Succession? That’s a matter for the party room. I will be (quitting parliament) when the time comes when the new premier is installed.”
Mr Baird said that next week there will be a Liberal party-room meeting and a spill of leadership positions.
“Following that meeting, I will resign from Parliament, effective immediately,” he said.
“It has also been an immense honour to represent the people of Manly since 2007, and my retirement from politics will enable fresh leadership for my community.”
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Andrew Constance is said to be making calls to test support for the leadership and Planning Minister Rob Stokes is said to be considering running, and on his way back from London.
There is also talk of a possible deal between Ms Berejiklian and the Right, where Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet would become deputy leader and Treasurer.
I'm retiring from politics. It's been an honour to serve you, NSW. pic.twitter.com/eFInOqoC19
— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) January 18, 2017
Malcolm Turnbull spoke to Mike Baird this morning ahead of his announcement + thanked him for his "remarkable leadership" #auspol
— Jane Norman (@janeenorman) January 18, 2017
Liberal heavyweights have thanked Mike Baird for his leadership after his shock resignation this morning while detractors accuse him of being “out of touch”.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spoke to Baird this morning and thanked him for “remarkable leadership”, particularly with infrastructure projects.
“Your state — our state — and the nation owe you a great debt,” the Prime Minister said.
“You’ve restored the state’s finances and you are building the infrastructure that sets New South Wales up for the 21st century economy.
“You’ve played a great innings and we thank you for it.
“You’ve opened your heart and explained why you are retiring all too soon.
“We understand that and I want to wish you, on behalf of myself and Lucy, you and Kerryn and all your family the very best and the greatest success in the years ahead.”
Thank you @mikebairdMP - you have set NSW on track to lead and succeed in the 21st century. Great innings magnificently played. pic.twitter.com/ZuBebLyqG6
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) January 18, 2017
Former federal Treasurer Joe Hockey tweeted good wishes to Baird.
“I wish my mate @mikebairdMP and Kerryn and family all the very best. A great bloke, great to deal with and an outstanding Premier of NSW.”
Meanwhile, outspoken former Liberal MP Ross Cameron said Mike Baird’s handling of the controversial NSW greyhound ban and the National Party’s devastating Orange by-election result probably helped spark the premier’s decision to quit politics.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said Mr Baird did not personally inform him of his decision to retire from politics.
“I found out through the media — I wasn’t given a phone call and that is for Mike,” he said.
He said Mr Baird’s decision showed strength of character.
“Today’s announcement truly shows the measure of the man, that he is putting family first,” he said.
“For many politicians and for many MPs and ministers, the sacrifice we make away from family is one that our families only know too well.”
Mr Barilaro also praised Ms Berejiklian as a “fantastic Treasurer” but said the leadership issue was one for the Liberals.
Mr Barilaro said he had personally looked to Mr Baird for inspiration as a leader.
“It is of course a shock to many and a sad day, but his legacy is one that will be remembered for decades and generations to come,” he said.
Opposition Leader Luke Foley thanked Mr Baird for his service and wished his family well, saying his own job will remain unchanged — to hold the government to account.
But he was also quick to attack Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, tipped to become the next premier, by pointing to the fact she oversaw the problem-plagued light rail project as transport minister.
He said he hoped the leadership change would act as a “circuit-breaker” and refocus the government.
“I want to wish Mike Baird and his lovely family all the best for the future,” he said.
Mr Foley danced around questions about whether the government’s loss of a popular leader was a good thing for him, politically.
Police Minister Troy Grant, who resigned as NSW Nationals leader following the Orange by-election, wasn’t surprised by Mr Baird’s departure but was disappointed to see his “great mate” leave politics.
“I was enormously proud to serve as his deputy premier,” Mr Grant told reporters in Sydney.
“We achieved incredible things for this state, and it’s a sad day for NSW more than anything.
“He’s made the decision in the best interest of his family and that always has to come first and I’ll always support him.”
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph last year, Mr Baird said he would bet a bottle of Grange that he would run as Premier in 2019.
It is expected Mr Baird, a former banker, will pursue a career in the banking world.
He has just returned from holidays with his family in Sawtell and Hawaii and announced during the Christmas period that his daughter had become engaged to be married.
Last year proved to a tough year for the premier with issues, including the controversial greyhound racing ban, council amalgamations and lockout laws that divided public opinion.
I wish my mate @mikebairdMP and Kerryn and family all the very best.
— Joe Hockey (@JoeHockey) January 18, 2017
A great bloke, great to deal with and an outstanding Premier of NSW.
Mr Baird’s sudden resignation comes two months after the Orange by-election loss was largely blamed on a backlash against his coalition government’s greyhound ban plan.
“I think Mike was shocked by the result in the Orange by-election. He believed in his heart he was doing the right thing to shut down the greyhound racing industry and he was both dismayed and demoralised that he was unable to carry it electorally,” outspoken former Liberal MP Ross Cameron, the former federal Liberal MP for Parramatta, told Sky News.
Mark Latham told Sky News that Baird had become a ‘dictator’ who had developed a ‘God complex’ and it’s good to see him go.
“He essentially became the dictator of New South Wales,” he said.
The former leader of the Australian Labor Party said the NSW Premier was “totally out of touch” on a range of issues.
Everest winner Nature Strip jumps at chance for new job
One of racing’s most successful thoroughbreds, Nature Strip, has left the sprinting behind to take on a new journey which could even take him to the Olympic Games.
Love triangle: Wife allegedly butchered husband over secret lover
Police allege that an international love triangle was the motive behind a woman killing her husband and dismembering him with a saw before dumping him in bins across Sydney.