Taxpayers could be slugged with $750K bill for by-election in Mike Baird’s vacated Manly seat

TAXPAYERS could be hit with a $750,000 bill to fill the seat vacated by former premier Mike Baird.

NSW Premier Mike Baird leaves home on the first day after announcing he was resigning. Picture: John Grainger.

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TAXPAYERS could be hit with a $750,000 bill to fill the seat vacated by former premier Mike Baird.

The costs would come from the Treasury’s budget, and would not be a direct imposition on Manly residents, a spokesman for the NSW Electoral Commission said.

It comes almost a month after Mr Baird made the shock announcement he was quitting politics for family reasons.

Premier Mike Baird resigns from the job and from politics. He was supported by his family as he fronted the media. Picture: Dylan Robinson.

It remains unclear when Manly will have a new representative.

The commission’s spokesman said there was no set time frame in which an election had to be called, but “historically it is very quick”.

It is also unknown if a two-for-one style arrangement would be set up with outgoing North Shore MP Jillian Skinner’s by-election to cut the costs.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shelley Hancock, is responsible for calling by-elections.

She said: “I have not received a resignation from the Member for North Shore. The timing of when any resignation will occur is at the sole discretion of the member.”

Speaker, Shelley Hancock, is responsible for setting the by-election date.

Ms Hancock said she would seek the advice of the Electoral Commissioner on the best date for “any by-election to be held”.

“Based on this advice, I will make a decision upon when the writs will be issued in due course.”

Attempts were made to contact Mr Baird, but he did not respond.

Liberal preselection for the seat is also heating up with one insider describing it as a “deep pool” of candidates.

Former Health Minister Jillian Skinner’s by-election could be paired with Mr Baird’s to reduce costs.

It is believed the cut off date for Liberal preselection nominations is nearing.

So far, key candidates appear to be Tony Abbott’s campaign manager Walter Villatora and former Manly councillor James Griffin.

Natalie Ward, whose husband David Begg is the business partner of powerbroker Michael Photios, is also believed to be throwing her hat in the ring.

Young Liberals president Alex Dore is in the hunt as are Nick McGowan, charity founder Ron Delezio, and former Wallaby Bill Calcraft.

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