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This was published 7 years ago
ACT parliamentarians will work with Mike Baird's successor on cross-border issues
By Katie Burgess
ACT parliamentarians say they will work with Mike Baird's successor on cross-border issues, after the NSW premier announced his surprise departure on Thursday.
Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said the territory government had managed to build a successful working relationship with the premier.
"Our relationship with NSW is very important," Ms Berry said.
"The ACT Government wishes Mike Baird well in his retirement."
This is despite the Labor government sometimes finding itself at odds with the Liberal premier, whose backflip on greyhound racing and championing of tough lockout laws eroded his popularity within NSW.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr ruled out lockout laws as part of his response to violence and anti-social behaviour in the city and has continued to dismantle funding to the local greyhound racing industry.
However the two leaders last month struck a deal to shift the ACT/NSW border for a development in West Belconnen and let ACT seniors access NSW Opal card travel discounts.
On the to-do list for this year was to work on automatic mutual recognition of interstate occupation licences, improve transport links across the border and coordinate responses to illegal waste dumping
ACT opposition leader Alistair Coe said Mr Baird had demonstrated "leadership with integrity".
"Mike Baird deserves our congratulations and thanks for a wonderful contribution to NSW and Australia," Mr Coe said.
Canberra's federal member for Fenner Andrew Leigh said by retiring now, Mr Baird had achieved a rare feat in politics.
"Few leave top political roles on their own terms. Congrats to @mikebairdMP for doing so," he tweeted.
NSW treasurer Gladys Berejiklian has been tipped to follow Mr Baird as leader.