Today I acknowledge the announcement by Mike Baird to resign as NSW Premier, and while his decision to retire from politics is tinged with sadness, it is also a time to pay tribute to his great leadership.

I have always admired him as a politician who brought a fresh approach and strong direction to the NSW Government and Cabinet.

In the short time I have been in the role of Deputy Premier and Leader of the NSW Nationals I have enjoyed working alongside him and congratulate him on delivering for the state of NSW.

Mike Baird leaves the role of NSW Premier with an impeccable record and legacies to be proud of, including a supercharged economy and unparalleled infrastructure across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.

2017 is a new dawn for NSW politics, there’s a new leader of the NSW Nationals and there’ll be a new leader for the Liberal Party too.

I’m excited by the prospects ahead and look forward to working with the new premier with a new Cabinet, which will bring with it a fresh look, new energy and impetus to take the NSW Coalition Government into the 2019 election.