Mike Baird

The Honourable
Mike Baird
MP
44th Premier of New South Wales
Elections: 2015[1]
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 April 2014
Monarch Elizabeth II
Governor Marie Bashir
David Hurley
Deputy Andrew Stoner
Troy Grant
Preceded by Barry O'Farrell
20th Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 April 2014
Deputy Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by Barry_O'Farrell
Minister for Infrastructure
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 April 2014
Premier Himself
Preceded by Brad Hazzard
Minister for Western Sydney
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 April 2014
Premier Himself
Preceded by Barry O'Farrell
Treasurer of New South Wales
In office
3 April 2011 – 23 April 2014
Premier Barry O'Farrell
Preceded by Eric Roozendaal
Succeeded by Andrew Constance
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Manly
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 March 2007
Preceded by David Barr
Majority 27.0% (2011)
Personal details
Born Michael Bruce Baird
1 April 1968
Melbourne, Victoria
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) Kerryn Baird
Relations Bruce Baird (father)
Children 3
Alma mater University of Sydney
Regent College
Occupation Investment Banker
Politician
Religion Anglicanism
Website mikebaird.com.au
Parliament website
Premier's website
[2][3]
Mike Baird at official reopening of the Lindt Café, Martin Place, Sydney, 20 March 2015

Michael Bruce "Mike" Baird MP (born 1 April 1968[4]), an Australian politician, is the 44th Premier of New South Wales, the Minister for Infrastructure, the Minister for Western Sydney, and the Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party since April 2014. He has represented the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Manly for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2007. Before becoming Premier, he was the Treasurer of New South Wales in the O'Farrell government between 2011 and 2014.

Baird has completed a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) at the University of Sydney and previously worked as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank, NAB and HSBC.

Early years and background

Born in Melbourne, Baird is the son of Judy and Bruce Baird.[5] His father was a New South Wales Minister and Member of Parliament representing Northcott, and a Member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing Cook, for the Liberal Party. His sister is journalist Julia Baird. Mike Baird is married to Kerryn and they have three children.[6]

Baird attended The King's School, Parramatta,[7] and then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of Sydney.

He studied at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, initially intending to enter the Anglican ministry, but while there decided to enter politics.[7] In 1999, he unsuccessfully sought preselection for the seat of Manly. He then returned to NAB, working for a time in London, before returning to Sydney to work for HSBC Australia.[8]

Political career

Baird was elected to the New South Wales Parliament in 2007.[9] After initially serving in a range of junior shadow ministries, Baird was promoted to the position of Shadow Treasurer in 2008 and touted as a future Liberal leader.[8][10] Following the election of the O'Farrell government in 2011, Baird was appointed Treasurer, although O'Farrell removed some of Baird's ministerial responsibilities, transferring the authority for land tax, gaming tax, payroll tax, public service superannuation and the Office of State Revenue to Greg Pearce, the Minister for Finance and Services.[11]

Baird has campaigned against dangerous drinking, voted against embryonic stem research and euthanasia, does not support same-sex marriage or same-sex adoption[12][13] and has stated that his strongest preference is not to support abortion in most circumstances.[14] He is strongly in favour of Australia becoming a republic.[15]

Premier of New South Wales

Following Barry O'Farrell's resignation,[16] Baird was elected parliamentary leader of the NSW division of the Liberal Party on 17 April 2014, and then sworn in as the 44th premier of New South Wales on 23 April.[17] Baird immediately reshuffled the ministry in preparation for the 2015 state election.[18][19]

The Sydney Morning Herald described Baird's government as "the most devout in living memory," with a concentration of powerful religious figures in its upper echelons.[12] Baird's chief of staff, Bay Warburton, once said that in his role as chief of staff he is serving Jesus, "and Mike (Baird), who's the Treasurer—he believes he's serving Jesus as the Treasurer of the state. He believes that he has a great opportunity to help people by making responsible decisions about the money from this state."[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.afr.com/news/coalition-premier-mike-baird-wins-nsw-election-20150328-1m9zxo
  2. ↑ Korporaal, Glenda (5 February 2011). "Political son wants a big gig". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  3. ↑ Jabour, Bridie (17 April 2014). "Who is Mike Baird? Meet NSW's new fiscally conservative Christian premier". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Jabour, Bridie (17 April 2014). "Who is Mike Baird? Meet NSW's new fiscally conservative Christian premier". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "NSW election 2015: A day with Premier Mike Baird on the campaign trail". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 March 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wood, Stephanie (26 October 2012). "The son rises". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 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.
  9. ↑ "About Mike Baird". Member for Manly. Mike Baird. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  10. ↑ Lewis, Daniel; Gibson, Joel (28 December 2008). "Heir apparent promoted". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  11. ↑ Clennell, Andrew (5 April 2011). "Cupboard is Baird for new Treasurer as Barry O'Farrell 'neuters' department". The Australian. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Nicholls, Sean (26 April 2014). "Onward Christian soldier: a premier's faith". Sydney Morning Herald.
  13. ↑ Howden, Saffron (17 April 2014). "Who is Mike Baird?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  14. ↑ Robins, Brian (30 December 2008). "The new face of the Liberals' charm offensive". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  15. ↑ Jabour, Bridie (18 April 2014). "Mike Baird admits mistake to appoint Nick de Girolamo to Sydney Water". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Barry O'Farrell quits as NSW Premier over memory fail". The Australian. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Mike Baird named new NSW premier named after Barry O'Farrell resignation". ABC News. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  18. ↑ "Mike Baird's NSW cabinet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  19. ↑ Nicholls, Sean (22 April 2014). "Mike Baird's cabinet reshuffle a preparation for next election". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2014.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Eric Roozendaal		 Treasurer of New South Wales
2011–2014 		Succeeded by
Andrew Constance
Preceded by
Brad Hazzard
as Minister for Planning and Infrastructure		 Minister for Infrastructure
2014–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Barry O'Farrell		 Minister for Western Sydney
2014–present 		Incumbent
Premier of New South Wales
2014–present 		Incumbent
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
David Barr		 Member for Manly
2007–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Barry O'Farrell		 Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party
2014–present 		Incumbent