Mike Baird, Premier for NSW, has announced his resignation, while a Liberal party-room meeting and a spill of leadership positions is expected by next week.

The Premier for NSW, Mike Baird, has announced plans to resign under a move away from politics and open the field for fresh leadership.

In an official statement, released 19th January, Baird said it has been a tremendous honour to carry the reigns in NSW.

“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 next week there will be a Liberal party-room meeting and a spill of leadership positions. “Following that meeting, I will resign from Parliament, effective immediately.”

Over the past six years, Baird said his administration had repaired the state budget and rejuvenated the economy. “We have created jobs in unprecedented numbers, boosted frontline services and unleashed an infrastructure boom in Sydney and the regions.”

Baird said a sound management of the budget and balance sheet is “not done for its own sake.” The goal was to improve services and infrastructure.

“Among other achievements in this area, I am proud of the extra resources we have been able to direct towards our neediest schools (as the first state to sign up to the Gonski agreement).”

Other reforms have involved disability and their carers. NSW was the first state to implement the National Disability Scheme. Additional support was provided to caseworkers at the Department and Family and Community Services.

Baird flagged the state’s “infrastructure miracle,” saying this only became possible after the Liberals and Nationals took a plan to citizens in 2015.

This plan prevailed over a “massive scare campaign” mounted by Labor and the unions,” added Baird.

Following his departure, Baird said the Liberals and Nationals “can be trusted to manage the continuation of the economic recovery and the infrastructure boom.”