NSW Premier Mike Baird Returns From Israel To Announce Powerhouse Site

NSW Premier Mike Baird @MikeBairdMP

After a productive visit to Israel it’s great to return home to announce a world-class location for the Powerhouse Museum on the banks of the Parramatta River in Western Sydney.

It was an honour to become the first serving NSW Premier to visit the so-called ‘startup nation’ as part of a trade mission focused on medicinal cannabis, cyber security and innovation. A delegation joined me on the visit, including the state’s Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, NSW Chief Scientist Mary O’Kane and medical cannabis advocate Lucy Haslam.

The visit resulted in formal partnerships that will allow the state’s businesses and universities to share knowledge and information with one of the world’s most innovative economies. These new partnershipswill allow us to increase our competitiveness in the digital economy.

During the visit I was invited to the home of President Reuven Rivlin, where we discussed the strength of the NSW-Israel relationship and our willingness to increase cooperation.

I also signed a new agreement with Israel’s Chief Scientist Mr Avi Hasson in Tel Aviv, which will allow us to learn from Israel’s experiences as a start up nation. The Agreement on Bilateral Co-operation in R&D and Technical Innovation commits NSW and Israel to invest $2 million into co-operative startup and innovation projects – particularly those focused on cybersecurity, agribusiness and water management.

We’re looking into how medicinal cannabis can help the terminally ill or people suffering chronic pain and it was good to speak with world-leading researcher Professor Raphael Mechoulam at his lab at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. There is a lot we can learn from Israel in this area of medical research, and I’m pleased to report the Government will be able to draw on the country’s knowledge after an agreement was struck with Health Minister Yaakov Litzman.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has purchased a new flight simulator, which will drastically improve aeromedical training and allow pilots to undertake their training in Australia – rather than travelling to the United States. I announced the Government will be contributing $2.5 million toward the construction of a new facility at Dubbo airport that will house the new simulator.

A new partnership between Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science will pave the way for Australia’s first cellular genomic research facility.The Centre for Genomics will be based at the Garvan Institute in Darlinghurst after Mr Baird announced the Government would provide $5m toward its establishment.

The Australian Representative Office in Ramallah helped arrange a visit to the West Bank, where I met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr RiadMalki and paid a visit to the UNRWA Aida refugee camp to see first-hand how Australian aid was making a difference. It was a privilege to visit the territory to hear from Palestinians themselves about the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Back at home, a site on the banks of the Parramatta River at Parramatta has been selected for Parramatta’s new Powerhouse Museum, which means that for the first time one of the state’s five major cultural institutions will be in Western Sydney.

It will ensure Western Sydney has a new, world-class cultural institution that will be a major drawcard for local and international visitors, which will serve as an anchor for a new arts and cultural precinct.

The riverbank site, the old David Jones car park, was selected over another site at Parramatta Golf Course because of its close proximity to public transport and easy accessibility for pedestrians.

Now that we’ve selected the preferred site, planning work can get underway to make the vision of the Powerhouse as a beacon of art and culture in Western Sydney a reality.

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird quits politics

Mike Baird, the leader of Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, has announced he is quitting politics.

At a tearful news conference, the premier said he would stand down after 10 years in public life.

"I said many times I didn't want to become a career politician," he said on Thursday. "Today, I am making good on that pledge."

Mr Baird was one of Australia's most popular politicians, but recent polls showed a drop in his approval rating.

He said his resignation would take effect immediately after a party meeting next week to elect a new leader.

Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian is considered his most likely successor.

"I think everyone's in shock," NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said. "Today's announcement, of course, truly shows the measure of the man and that he's putting family first."

'Tremendous honour'

Mr Baird, who became premier in April 2014, said it had been a "tremendous honour" to lead the state.

But he said the job had come at a "strong personal cost", especially in recent months.

"My father and my mother and my sister are going through a very serious health challenge and, to be honest, at times I have been in pain not being able to spend the time [with them] that I should," he said.

"This will change today."

He said his father, who had undergone open-heart surgery, was now the primary carer for his mother, who has muscular dystrophy. His sister was enduring cancer.

"I have decided that this is the perfect time for me to hand the reins over to a new premier," he said.

Eventful time in power

After taking over from predecessor Barry O'Farrell, who resigned after failing to declare a gift of wine, Mr Baird enjoyed a long period of public support.

A strong public speaker who used social media to his advantage, Mr Baird embarked on a series of ambitious investments in the state's infrastructure.

But his soaring approval rating - as high as 61% in December 2015 - plunged in the second half of 2016 following controversial policy decisions.

He was criticised for advocating for strict lockout laws in Sydney, which mean nightspots cannot let in new patrons after 01:30. Critics say the laws have severely affected the city's vibrancy and economy.

Mr Baird was also forced to reverse a ban on greyhound racing in October, saying he "got it wrong" by banning the industry just months earlier following an animal cruelty scandal.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull thanked Mr Baird for his time in office, saying he "played a great innings".

"You've restored the state's finances and you are building the infrastructure that sets New South Wales up for the 21st Century economy," he said.