NSW Premier Mike Baird Has Just Resigned
See ya, Mike.
NSW Premier Mike Baird has today announced that he his quitting politics after 10 years in public life.
Baird, who has served as Premier since 2014, made the announcement on Twitter.
In a statement he wrote “As I have reflected on the approaching halfway mark of our current term of government, and the opportunity it presents to refresh the Cabinet team, I have decided that this is the perfect time for me 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,” he said.
I'm retiring from politics. It's been an honour to serve you, NSW. pic.twitter.com/eFInOqoC19
— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) January 18, 2017
During his term Baird has been criticised for the state government’s lockout laws, and more recently the decision to announce a ban on greyhound racing, before backflipping.
So why has he suddenly quit? No one knows, but Baird is holding a press conference at 10am today to answer questions.
The Liberal Party will hold a meeting next week to elect a new leader and Premier.