Baird Resigns as Premier of Australia’s Most-Populous State
- Shock departure comes after less than three years in the job
- Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian says she will seek leadership
Mike Baird.
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Mike Baird has resigned as leader of Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, after less than three years in the job.
Baird, 48, announced his shock departure Thursday, saying that with the halfway mark of the current parliamentary term approaching, “this is the perfect time” to hand over to a new leader. His Liberal Party will choose a replacement premier next week, at which time Baird will retire from parliament effective immediately, he said in an e-mailed statement.