Mike Baird (politician)

New South Wales politician and premier

Michael Bruce "Mike" Baird MP (born 1 April 1968[3]), an Australian politician. He was the 44th Premier of New South Wales from 2014 to 2019. He was also the Minister for Infrastructure, the Minister for Western Sydney. He has represented the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Manly for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2007. Before he became Premier, he was the Treasurer of New South Wales in the O'Farrell government.


Mike Baird
44th Premier of New South Wales
Elections: 2015
In office
17 April 2014 – 23 January 2017
MonarchElizabeth II
GovernorMarie Bashir
David Hurley
DeputyAndrew Stoner
Troy Grant
John Barilaro
Preceded byBarry O'Farrell
Succeeded byGladys Berejiklian
20th Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party
In office
17 April 2014 – 23 January 2017
DeputyGladys Berejiklian
Preceded byBarry O'Farrell
Succeeded byGladys Berejiklian
Minister for Infrastructure
In office
23 April 2014 – 23 January 2017
Preceded byBrad Hazzard
Succeeded byAndrew Constance
Minister for Western Sydney
In office
23 April 2014 – 23 January 2017
Preceded byBarry O'Farrell
Succeeded byStuart Ayres
Treasurer of New South Wales
In office
3 April 2011 – 23 April 2014
PremierBarry O'Farrell
Preceded byEric Roozendaal
Succeeded byAndrew Constance
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Manly
In office
24 March 2007 – 23 January 2017
Preceded byDavid Barr
Succeeded byJames Griffin
Personal details
Born
Michael Bruce Baird

(1968-04-01) 1 April 1968 (age 55)
Melbourne, Victoria
Political partyLiberal Party
Spouse(s)Kerryn Baird
RelationsBruce Baird (father), Julia Baird (sister)
Children3
EducationThe King's School, Parramatta
University of Sydney
Regent College
OccupationChief Customer Officer of NAB
Politician
[1][2]

Early years change

Baird's father, Bruce Baird, was member of the New South Wales Parliament representing Northcott, and a Member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing Cook, for the Liberal Party.

Baird attended The King's School, Parramatta.[4] He studied for a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of Sydney. Baird joined the National Australia Bank (NAB) under a graduate program working as an investment banker. He later joined Deutsche Bank as a senior manager.

Baird is a Christian.[2][5] He studied at Regent College, in Canada, so he could become a minister in the Anglican Church, but while there decided to enter politics.[4] In 1999, he unsuccessfully tried to be chosen as the Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Manly. He then went back to NAB, working for a time in London, before returning to Sydney to work for HSBC Australia.[6]

Political career change

Baird was elected to the New South Wales Parliament in 2007.[7] He was given a number of junior shadow ministries and in 2008 he was made Shadow Treasurer.[6][8] Following the election of the O'Farrell government in 2011, Baird was made Treasurer,[9]

Baird has opposed dangerous drinking, embryonic stem research, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage.[5][10]

Premier of New South Wales change

After Barry O'Farrell's resignation,[11] on 17 April 2014 Baird was elected parliamentary leader of the NSW Liberal Party, and then sworn in on 23 April as the 44th Premier of New South Wales.[12]

References change

  1. Korporaal, Glenda (5 February 2011). "Political son wants a big gig". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jabour, Bridie (17 April 2014). "Who is Mike Baird? Meet NSW's new fiscally conservative Christian premier". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  3. Yeend, Peter Jon; King's School (Parramatta, NSW) Council (2000). The King's School register 1831-1999 (3rd ed.). Council of the King's School. ISBN 978-0-908234-06-6.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Wood, Stephanie (26 October 2012). "The son rises". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Nicholls, Sean (26 April 2014). "Onward Christian soldier: a premier's faith". Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Cleary, Paul (26 March 2011). "Ex-banker seeks to bring balance to Treasury: Mike Baird has the background to look after NSW's finances". The Weekend Australian. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  7. "About Mike Baird". Member for Manly. Mike Baird. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  8. Lewis, Daniel; Gibson, Joel (28 December 2008). "Heir apparent promoted". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  9. Clennell, Andrew (5 April 2011). "Cupboard is Baird for new Treasurer as Barry O'Farrell 'neuters' department". The Australian. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  10. Howden, Saffron (17 April 2014). "Who is Mike Baird?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  11. "Barry O'Farrell quits as NSW Premier over memory fail". The Australian. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  12. "Mike Baird named new NSW premier named after Barry O'Farrell resignation". ABC News. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.

Other websites change