Former parliamentarian and president of the Batemans Bay Liberal Party Branch, John Haslem was shocked as many were to hear of the news of the resignation of Premier Mike Baird this morning.
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Mr Haslem, the former Member for Canberra, is also the honourary secretary of the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of Australia.
“I am surprised and dismayed but given the recent negative publicity being heaped on members of Parliament by the public and press, I can well imagine that a young man like the former premier has had enough.”
President of the Bega State Electorate Conference, Maggie Havu of Narooma was also shocked and saddened by the news of the premier’s resignation.
Mrs Havu said it was sad news and she had great respect for Mr Baird as a person.
“He has left a huge legacy behind and NSW is number one,” she said. “It was a smart move to leave now and give a new person a chance to make a stamp on the leadership before the next election. It’s a very thoughtful thing to do.”
She was also saddened to hear of Mr Baird’s parents health conditions and it was only natural to put family first ahead of politics.
State Member Andrew Constance’s name has been raised in the past as a potential candidate for premier but neither Mr Haslem or Mrs Havu were willing to publicly speculate.
Mr Constance said he would not be making comment, as today was about Mr Baird and his achievements and he wished to respect that.
Mrs Havu was involved in organising a visit to Narooma by Mr Baird in May last year when he attended Narooma Golf Club.
The premier and State Member Andrew Constance attended a luncheon organised by the Bega State Electorate Conference and the local Liberal Party branches. There were about 60 people present for the lunch.
Mr Baird had been down in Eden and Merimbula with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for funding announcements for the port of Eden and Merimbula airport.
Mr Constance invited the premier to travel up the electorate to the Eurobodalla to meet with various community groups and to look at ongoing success stories.
He introduced the premier to the luncheon saying this had been the first official visit to the region by a premier since Bob Carr in 2005.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
