MPs tribute for a ‘great leader’
-by Lisa Wachsmuth
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Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward has expressed his shock and sadness at the resignation of his party leader, Mike Baird.
“Mike Baird has been a Premier, like him or not, that stood for something – no-one could accuse him of being a ‘do nothing’ Premier,’’ Mr Ward said.
‘’He went into politics to make a real difference in people’s lives and was a person of enormous substance, and someone I respect and admire.’’
Mr Ward said the state had flourished with Mr Baird at the helm.
“When we came to government Mike Baird was treasurer and NSW was the laughing stock of the nation. We inherited a $5.2 billion deficit and a $50 billion debt – both of which have been wiped out,’’ he said.
“Today we are number one again … and Mike Baird’s leadership has been fundamental to that.’’
The Premier had also made an “enormous’’ contribution to the Illawarra according to the Kiama MP.
Mike Baird has been a Premier, like him or not, that stood for something. No-one could accuse him of being a ‘do nothing’ Premier.
- Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward
“We wouldn’t have funding for the Albion Park Rail bypass if not for Mike Baird; we wouldn’t have the Berry bypass or the Bulli Hospital upgrade … nor funding for the Fowlers Road bridge.’’
Mr Ward said while decisions such as council mergers, a greyhound ban and plans to enter private-public partnerships at some hospitals had not been popular, Mr Baird had always been committed to listen.
He said while he was shocked at Mr Baird’s decision to resign, he was not surprised with the pressures of public life getting harder for all politicians.
“There’s never been as much pressure on political leaders and access to them as there is today,’’ Mr Ward said.
“Over the holidays I’m sure Mike has had a chat with his family who’ve had to wear some pretty horrible criticism.
‘’I’m happy for people to criticise us – we make that choice, but our families don’t.’’
Mr Ward would not comment on new leadership, claiming ‘’any member of the cabinet could be a great contender for the leadership’’.
However he said his ambition was only to continue what he had started out to do: “To be a member of parliament who represents the region I’ve grown up in.’’
'His Premiership can only be described as disappointing': Paul Scully
Illawarra Labor MPs are calling on the next NSW Premier to make a bigger investment in the region.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully said much-needed infrastructure projects like the Unanderra train station lifts and Wollongong Entertainment Centre upgrade had been put on the ‘’backburner’’ by the Baird government.
‘’While I wish Mike Baird all the best for the future, his Premiership in terms of the Illawarra can only be described as disappointing,’’ Mr Scully said.
‘’A new Premier has the opportunity, and the responsibility, to take the region seriously. (There’s) a number of issues that need to be dealt with that have been neglected by not one but two Premiers.
‘’The next Premier needs to make sure some of those key investments around the future of jobs, around access to services and general opportunity in the Illawarra are high on the list of priorities.’’
Keira MP Ryan Park would be seeking a meeting with the new Premier to ensure the region got a ‘’better deal’’.
‘’We certainly need a lot better premier for the Illawarra and someone who’s going to make sure we get our fair share than what we had under Mike Baird.
‘’What we saw was a port sold off with very little proceeds flowing back to the region; local TAFEs cut; hospital waiting lists rise; the school maintenance backlog continue to grow and we also have a social housing crisis on our hands,’’ Mr Park said.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson hoped to see more consultation with communities on the issues that concerned them.
‘’I’m disappointed about Mike Baird’s lack of community consultation around the greyhound decision, around forced council amalgamations and around plans to privatise our public hospitals,’’ she said.
Premier’s transport focus ‘welcome’: Bradbery
- by Greg Ellis
Outgoing NSW Premier Mike Baird has been described as always courteous and engaging by Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.
Cr Bradbery said it was always easy to be critical but Mr Baird always had the best wishes and interests of the state at heart.
And he had a good professional relationship with the Premier.
“Being in politics is always a challenging experience trying to find the best ways through all the issues and challenges we confront,” he said.
“One of his finest achievements is his priority of infrastructure spending. He made it a high priority to try and get the issues of transport, specifically road transport sorted out in Sydney”.
Cr Bradbery also thinks it would be quite feasible for Kiama MP Gareth Ward to be considered for a position in the new cabinet when those decisions are made next week.
“They are going to be looking around for talent and Gareth is quite capable. It would be good (for this region) to have representation in cabinet”.
Baird response mixed
- by Greg Ellis
NSW Premier Mike Baird’s decision to retire from politics is being met with a mixed reaction in the Illawarra.
Illawarra Business Chamber executive director Chris Lamont is not completely surprised by the timing because when Mr Baird got the top job he articulated a very clear economic plan to fund infrastructure projects. It involved funding with the help of an asset recycling strategy.
Mr Lamont said the revenue and resources from that were just starting to flow into the Treasury coffers providing an opportunity for the NSW Government to start investing. The hard work has been done by Mr Baird who has taken some political pain..but will now not get to be part of the investment phase. But he always indicated he had no long term plans in politics and would likely go back to the private sector.
The timing of Thursday’s announcement means he is giving a new leader time to settle in before the next election in 2019. As well as prepare the next State Budget.
Mr Lamont said the Illawarra was fortunate to have good representation on both sides of parliament and felt Kiama MP Gareth Ward could have a chance of a cabinet position. “Gareth is a very active parliamentary secretary and local member. It is pleasing that both Gareth and Ryan Park probably agree on more than they disagree. In my experience they often work collaboratively”.
South Coast Labor Council secretary Arthur Rorris agreed the region deserves a local voice on the front bench. “But I would hope that with Baird gone we might have a bit of a rethink on the extreme right wing position on steel policy. Gareth has indicated he would like to see a more moderate position. Here is his chance.”
Mr Rorris said Mr Baird had gone into politics to do a job. “Privatisation has been his big policy outcome. Even though I don’t agree with it he has been quite successful at doing the job of big business. From our perspective..ot is just a shame that he now leaves a hospital system in limbo, has left a mess for his successor in terms of council amalgamations, the privatisation of health and a bit of a policy free zone when it comes to vocational education and training.”