Former NSW premier Mike Baird snares NAB job

‘CASINO Mike’ has finally hit paydirt. The former NSW premier is in for at least a $1.6 million payrise in his new role at NAB.

THE man dubbed Casino Mike has apparently hit paydirt.

Just five weeks after tearfully resigning as New South Wales premier, Mike Baird has snared a lucrative job in the banking sector.

The National Australia Bank gig will be a hefty payrise for the former state leader.

Mr Baird is likely to earn at least $2 million annually, as the NAB’s Chief Customer Officer of Corporate and Institutional Banking.

In his final year as premier, he was taking home $377,780, excluding electoral allowances.

Mr Baird made the bombshell resignation announcement last month via Twitter, catching all but those in his inner circle off guard.

In a media conference shortly afterwards, he fought back tears as he explained he had done so to spend more time with his family, including his parents and sister, all of whom had suffered recent ill health.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in Manly with her predecessor, Mike Baird.

In a statement to the ASX, NAB chief executive Andrew Thorburn said Mr Baird’s Sydney-based role would see him return to the institution he started his investment banking career with.

“Mike started his career with NAB in 1989 and spent 17 years working in corporate and institutional banking roles in Australia and overseas with NAB, Deutsche Bank and HSBC, before entering politics,” the statement read.

Mr Baird left banking when he was elected in the seat of Manly in 2007.

He served as NSW treasurer before rising to premier following Barry O’Farrell’s resignation in 2014.

It was a tearful Mike Baird who announced his resignation last month, to spend more time with his family. Picture: Mark Evans

“His time as Treasurer and Premier of New South Wales means he returns to banking and NAB with invaluable experience in leading economic and financial reform to grow the economy,” NAB said.

“Mike has outstanding leadership and a determination to drive change and make a difference by

building relationships with customers and the community.”

Mr Baird enjoyed almost unprecedented popularity in his first months in the job but his polling took a hit with the introduction of a number of controversial measures, most notably Sydney’s tough lockout laws.

While venues in Kings Cross and the CBD were subject to the strict trading crackdown, certain venues, such as the Star casino, were excluded.

This earnt him the deriding nickname “Casino Mike”.

It’s a legacy that endures.

Social media has been quick to react to his appointment at NAB, which takes effect in mid-April.

If Mike Baird is now at NAB, does that mean no withdrawals after 10pm?

— James Morrow (@pwafork) February 27, 2017

no cash withdrawals after 1:30am yeah pic.twitter.com/NNWlAa3CKx

— richmondist (@andrew_porter) February 27, 2017

At last month’s media conference, where he formally announced his resignation, Mr Baird indicated he had already had talks with the private sector about his post-politics career and all but ruled out a move to the federal arena.

However, the emotional then-premier said it was the demands of his job that prompted the decision, saying he had not been able to spend as much time with his sick parents and sister as he would have liked.

“There is a strong personal cost that comes in public life,” he said.

“I’ve probably felt that more than any other time in the past few months.

“My father and my mother and my sister are going through a very serious health challenge and, to be honest, at times I have been in pain not being able to spend the time that I should.”

Premier Mike Baird hugs his wife Kerryn, after announcing his resignation, as their three children look on. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Originally published as Former NSW premier Mike Baird snares NAB job