Mike Baird resignation: Thoughts from protesters and haters
Updated
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird announced his retirement yesterday, after a year defined by angry protests and backlashes against a number of controversial policies.
Once the country's most popular politician, these policies ultimately led to a steep drop in his popularity.
The ABC asked the Premier's biggest critics to share their thoughts on his departure as they continue to fight WestConnex, lockout laws and council amalgamations.
Do they see his exit as a victory? A sign of hope? And what is their message for his replacement?
'Failure to listen proved his downfall'
Mr Baird fell out of favour with young people and businesses who vigorously opposed laws that forced licensed venues in the CBD and Kings Cross to close their doors at 1:30am and last drinks to be poured at 3:00am.
Keep Sydney Open, the group which spearheaded protests against the move, said Mr Baird's resignation was never its goal.
"It was purely about the lockout laws which had such a wide-ranging effect on Sydney night-life and even small businesses that operate during the daytime," Keep Sydney Open's Tyson Koh said.
"So while we're pleased that it seems as though community groups such as ours have had an impact, at the same time the lockouts are still there.
"We're going to keep fighting and putting pressure on the Government."
Mr Koh said it was Mr Baird's reluctance to listen to people that ultimately precipitated his drop in popularity and eventual exit.
"We had a Premier who had no idea about the impact nightlife has on a vibrant metropolis such as Sydney," he said.
That sentiment is shared by the WestConnex Action group, which has vigorously opposed to the Government's construction of a 33-kilometre motorway and the forced acquisition of homes along the planned route.
"His premiership was defined by a failure to listen to the communities, to listen to the experts," the group's Pauline Lochie said.
"He was showing no signs of changing."
We're not going away: WestConnex protesters
The WestConnex Action Group has called on Mr Baird's replacement to immediately halt construction on the controversial motorway.
"We would certainly hope that any new incoming Premier, whether it's Gladys Berejiklian or someone else in the party, has a much better willingness to listen to the communities," Ms Lochie said.
When asked whether a new leader would need to back track on some of the Government's more unpopular policies, Mr Baird last night was unequivocal in his answer: "The Government will continue with what we have delivered."
That is a position that groups opposing his policies certainly will not accept and a position Mr Baird's replacement will also need to confront.
"If the next Premier wants to enjoy a honeymoon period, than I think they would be very wise to consult," Mr Koh from Keep Sydney Open said.
"Young people are passionate people and so if you overlook these issues, then I think that what we've seen is that it could eventually be a ticking time bomb that blows up in your face."
Mike Baird 'ignored' councils
The NSW Government's announcement to forcibly amalgamate 43 local councils into only 25 was also met with angry protests and numerous legal challenges.
In addition to the Government's proposed ban on greyhound racing, council amalgamations proved to be pivotal issue that led to the Nationals losing the key seat of Orange in a by-election last year.
Jock Haynes is the chairperson of the Cabonne Anti-amalgamation Committee, which opposes the proposed amalgamation of the Cabonne and Orange City councils in the state's Central West.
He reflected that before the election, the Government was "unapproachable" and would not listen to the concerns people had about the amalgamations.
"We sent invitations [to attend events] to Mike Baird and they've all been ignored," Mr Hayes said.
"We had no dealings with the Baird Government [before that election]."
Liberal Deputy Leader Gladys Berejiklian is being touted as the most likely person to replace Mr Baird as premier.
Regardless, the message from these critics is clear.
They are not backing away. They are not giving up. Their fight will continue.
Topics: political-parties, government-and-politics, local-government, community-and-society
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