Robert Borsak welcomes the retirement of Premier Mike Baird
SHOOTERS, Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Borsak has welcomed the resignation of NSW Premier Mike Baird in a media statement released on Thursday afternoon.
Borsak has firmly opposed many of Baird's policies, one of which was the NSW greyhound racing ban announced in July 2016.
Despite public backlash forcing him to backflip on the ban, Borsak has still made his disdain for several Baird government decisions made abundantly clear.
“Mike Baird's retirement is welcomed by the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party,” Borsak said.
“While we have generally supported this Government's mandate over the last few years, what we are now witnessing is the culmination of a number of very bad decisions.
“Those decisions relating to the sale of poles and wires which could have been handled differently, forced council amalgamations, the banning of the greyhound racing industry, and now the theft of crown lands in New South Wales is what has ultimately cost Mike Baird his job.
“We have always opposed these policies, and with the election of Philip Donato MP in Orange late last year, the Premier's retirement is a continuation of a major change in New South Wales politics.”
NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley also spoke out in regards to Baird's resignation, stating his retirement from politics will not change the opposition's role moving forward.
“I think the job for me and my team hasn't changed – to hold this government to account. This government needs more than a new premier – it needs a new direction,” Foley said.
“I want to thank Mike Baird for his service to NSW – to serve as the Premier for Australia's largest state is the greatest of honours. He has worked as Premier and as Treasurer of NSW – today we reflect that Mr Baird has rendered substantial service to NSW life.
“I want to wish Mike Baird and his lovely family all the best for the future.”
Treasurer and Deputy Leader of the NSW Liberal Party Gladys Berejiklian is expected to become the next Premier of NSW, with a party room meeting set to confirm her appointment early next week.
She has been installed as the $1.30 favourite to replace Mike Baird with leading online bookmaker Sportsbet.
“According to the betting, the job is Gladys Berejiklian's to lose and she will be a clear winner in the spill,” said Sportsbet.com.au's Christian Jantzen.
Next NSW Liberal Leader
$1.25 Gladys Berejiklian with Sportsbet
$7.50 Anthony Roberts
$7.50 Jillian Skinner
$8.00 Andrew Constance
$9.00 Brad Hazzard
$21 Stuart Ayres
$26 Pru Goward
$34 Rob Stokes
$51 Gabriel Upton
$51 Victor Dominello
$51 John Ajaka
$5 Mark Speakman
This person has caused much grief for a lot of people who have struggled through this DICTATORSHIP here in NSW .He believes that he has done a great job as Premier of NSW and history will be recorded as a Premier who failed the good honest battlers of NSW and sold off their children future assets for a short term gain , the state will never recover ! as they say, good riddance to bad rubbish. A victory for the little bloke
Cutting the head off a snake still leaves the body of a snake. Tread warily.
I know this has nothing to do with above , but on Wednesday industry participants meet with Morris Iemma and Brenton Scott at the Social Club along with certain greyhound media .Scott has lost the plot, he allowed a self confessed embezzler a audience with Iemma, this person should be in Jail and wiped out of the code, but instead he’s been given the protective species treatment .The Industry must ask why, who’s protecting who here, and for what reason ?
Didn’t Sportsbet have the Nationals odds on to win in Orange? What happened there? It’s the same government that passed the Greyhound legislation minus one and half (Troy Grant), not to be trusted.
Let’s hope the next leader of this state actually talks to the voters affected before ramming through unpopular policies.
You mean the way GRNSW do Trevor H?
Bluestone Yes both have something in common, and this must change, or its all over red rover !
izziblack05 One of the Alliance team believes that the Nats are going to look after us in Orange, Dubbo Bathurst YEAH, and pigs might fly , has Grant grown wings , no a red beard .lol
Bluestone
Malcolm Turnbull could have made up some political ground here by saying it as it is, instead he actually lauded the bloke. It was embarrassing to watch i had to turn the TV off.
We all have family issues (bar none) Mike Baird simply stuffed up, he turned green among other things. I cannot forget the family issues the greyhound ban caused our community.
Once a politician always a politician, he will be back in my view, 3 or 4 years probably as a fed, get ready for it.
Bluestone Agreed. The new hierarchy and those in training are by and large asking questions and seem keen to learn. And there is also the gung-ho section that is irritating participants. Hopefully with more experience common sense prevails.
Bluestone It’s not as if we are going anywhere soon. I’m sure that Gladys doesn’t want to go through the same thing as Mike.
Agreed. Surely Gladys will want to get the Greyhound issues sorted asap so as not to burden her premiership.
Watch this space re Baird and Wentworth Park and the Fish Markets, I feel this was the main reason he jumped ship !
BobWhitelaw Baird’s dealings with the fish market developers is hot news in the building industry at the moment. One feels a big news story is about to break.
Regarding the recent abandonment of Gosford’s Tuesday meeting and the Thursday meeting being put back two races- these decisions were made by relatively new GRNSW staff.As a result, four stewards including the head steward attended a recent meeting and declared the track in good order. Stewards also attended a trial session there this week with no issues reported.
Bluestone
Cannot agree ‘Bluestone’, unless Gladys is feverishly pro greyhound racing she will leave things proceed as they are.
Already in this weeks greyhound recorder the group producing brood bitch ‘Go Jessie’s Girl’ has been refused a breeding approval.
I agree with the views of some, greyhound racing in NSW will suffer by over regulation. ‘Thirty Talks’ cost ,000 at auction. In 3 years time the same pups will cost ,000 through under supply. A slow death by stealth. The next reversal should be the welfare reforms, can’t see that happening.
Trevor H BobWhitelaw Trevor, its a pity a couple of trainers weren’t ask to also inspect the track too , they are the ones supplying the product to for GBOTA, GRNSW and the TAB
lone widow Bluestone As i stated earlier on, i was meeting with John Gibbons the administrator appointed by the Baird Government through the week and i believe it was a very productive meeting in moving forward without giving to much away ,i can say this, he agreed there is not much more we can do in the regulation area with all bases covered with some that could come under review. The main question i ask, do you believe there will be a Greyhound industry here in NSW after the 1st of July 2017 ? his answer was yes. I raised issues… Read more »
BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone There is a new reality surrounding animal welfare that goes well beyond the greyhounds but they are also caught up in it. The fears in these that everyone has are real and is good that they are being addressed at this site level and with all groups and mistake in my view to boycott in this type of situation. My take is that the Government advised by its supporting staff were convinced that they could get rid of the greyhounds with a minimum in house effort an used the “B team” who were responsible previously for the viability… Read more »
BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone There is a new reality surrounding animal welfare that goes well beyond the greyhounds but they are also caught up in it. The fears in these that everyone has are real and is good that they are being addressed at this site level and with all groups and mistake in my view to boycott in this type of situation. My take is that the Government advised by its supporting staff were convinced that they could get rid of the greyhounds with a minimum in house effort an used the “B team” who were responsible previously for the viability… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone John your got to be kidding, if the Alliance is the A Team god help us, and if you believe they are answer then why are so many in the Leadership Group proven Failures in welfare, promotion marketing and track infrastructure.John stop supporting these self interest individuals who are proven FAILURES , John i’am starting to think your demented and others are saying the same,and then they conned you into being a Trustee of the Alliance .
BobWhitelaw John Tracey lone widow Bluestone Hi Bob, Thanks for giving me the opportunity to explain my situation further. The Alliance is not the A Team, the A Team is the consultants that the Alliance appointed including top PR and political teams. I may or not be demented but in my defence I need to state that I am not a trustee of the Alliance, I am to controller of the two trust funds ie the fighting fund and the Animal Welfare fund (recently formed). My duties are to see that the trustees and the funds are faithful to the trust deeds. I… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone John No confusion here, and i,am not a member of any current organisation of my own and as you know i put my hand up to help your organisation and was told politely to Pi** Off, and as for the GBOTA well a show cause on me and a suspension after the Failure to try an to silence me for defending myself from lies put forward by a former director re the grandstand at Maitland which cost members thousand and thousand of dollars and the appeal process which cost the members for the exercise which was… Read more »
BobWhitelaw Trevor H I use Gosford to break my pups to the circle,so I get to see the track regularly. The sand being used at the moment, which I believe is supplied by the board, does not seem to have much fat (clay,loam) content. As a result the watering regime has changed.Sharp sand drains rather quickly compared to fatty sand.
Has Mr Wilson commented to you on the board’s stance regarding sand supply and it’s composition, Bob?
Trevor H I think that’s where the problems lay, to many people with their thoughts on what’s the best sand loam mix for tracks and Wilson has pointed that out me, saying all tracks are different in their composition and must be prepared to suite that track and the weather,and watering is a key component and skillful competent curators are very important . .I’ll give you example , a country loam track where in the winter its very cold and water is still a major component,now in the summer its very hot and they race mostly afternoon, if its to… Read more »
BobWhitelaw John Tracey lone widow Bluestone Thanks for clearing things up you like me are not the committee member of any participant organisation or club. I am a life member of the NSWGRCA (Country Club Association) but not a member of their management board and I am a participant member of clubs and associations only. The alliance group involves a group of people who have contributed funding to a dispute between them and the Government over the banning of greyhound racing. The origins of the associated group are not known to me but I assume the group was formed following members successful motions… Read more »
BobWhitelaw John Tracey lone widow Bluestone Thanks for clearing things up you like me are not the committee member of any participant organisation or club. I am a life member of the NSWGRCA (Country Club Association) but not a member of their management board and I am a participant member of clubs and associations only. The alliance group involves a group of people who have contributed funding to a dispute between them and the Government over the banning of greyhound racing. The origins of the associated group are not known to me but I assume the group was formed following members successful motions… Read more »
Bluestone No bluestone The real Snake is a representative on Iemma’s panel. This person is selling the industry out on for what ever reason Iemma is selling to the Government re our come back this year. Yeah! your saying why, well” Y “is a crooked letter and so is this REP ! Iemma had no idea what we were taking about as far as the Greyhound Racing Industry was concerned .This Pantomime staged for industry persons was the greatest load of BULL SH*T by a so called leader of a participants i ever witnessed .He reminded me of a car… Read more »
BobWhitelaw …and on top of that,watching the same space may show an inclination to revert to the facts and usage of a report tabled in 2014,as the preferred GO ahead for the industries future.that should make even you happy BOB….lol.
strong mentions in that report of the INTERCODE AGREEMENT. does this mean a possible resurrection of the industry in NSW,and maybe,just maybe, a GOVT prepared to look deeply at that set up of the current INTERCODE AGREEMENT?
spyman BobWhitelaw That’s right , but what’s the worrying is the fact Scott has not filled in iemma on the ICA.
Baird gone,and Barilaro at Wenty on Saturday night saying sorry for supporting the ban on greyhound racing by the Nationals its Grant who should be saying sorry but he lacks the fortitude to do so.
The question on the lips of all participants? Where does Berejiklian stand on the Greyhound Racing Ban ! 17 years ago a few of us knew that Scott was a great talker ,but does not perform and that’s been unfortunate for his members and that’s partially why we have the problems of today.
BobWhitelaw spyman Steady there are you being over influenced on the item in todays telegraph An This Day. 1368- Founding of the Ming Dynasty, The Emperor (a former peasant) introduced new methods of torture to control Public Servants. Obviously the Government and its servants would find it exceedingly cruel to be instructed on details of Government/policy/agreement and contract by a general manager of a greyhound association. As ridiculous as the above situation seems at some level I feel what you are saying is fair comment but at the same time i fear for Australia. Seriously speaking the whole racing reform started… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw spyman John i don’t buy or read the capitalist express known as the Telegraph so there is no influence by a paper rag with the sellout of the Alliance to the participants .John we can’t change the past but we can help the industry get rid of the rorters (Mr 10%) who are still trying to hang on to power..Its out with the old . and in with the new beginning and that’s whats got to happen or we are gone! John see how far wrong i’am with new structure ?
BobWhitelaw John Tracey spyman Here is an extract from the Alliance e-mail to stakeholders (5,000). today. We can lobby all parties etc up until the Parliament sits and continues to sit from 14th Feb onwards. My have given my preferences with regard to the new Board and Advisory structure on before so I wont repeat them here . Cut and Paste, ………………………………………………………………………………………………… “The leadership change howeverdoes not change the current process in place to repeal the legislation. Thatbeing, the reform panel will complete its report, with it to be provided to theLeader of the Government, prior to progression to Cabinet for discussion.Legislation… Read more »
BobWhitelaw I doubt any pollie jumps ship ” to spend more time with the family” – there must be a smelly rat behind a fridge somewhere.
Deborah555 BobWhitelaw No Deb, its that dead fish smell, that will expose the Truth why one pulled the plug ?
BobWhitelaw spyman uuhhhmmm cannot answer that,but why would that not be raised,as it is the most abundantly clear corrupted organised piece of agreement crap ever written? blind freddy would see the flaws within,and its time the government wrapped this up by legislating for YOU WORK/PERFORM WELL WITHIN IN YOUR INDUSTRY,YOU GET WHAT IS YOUR REWARD…..and on the other hand,if you cannot meet your obligations(4 horse fields on a continual basis is a good example)then you get what you also deserve….even if it is less than what you are currently getting. in the business world,who signs binding 99 year agreements? maybe in… Read more »
Deborah555 BobWhitelaw in house attacks on BAIRD were begun when ORANGE went down.he was a marked man and he was no longer flavour of the decade.he was conned by his gurus,and he has paid the ultimate price.thank god his advisors were children….had to be.no adult would think and do what this fool did without kids telling and guiding him.
spyman Deborah555 BobWhitelaw The kids you are referring to are the same ones that look after the viability of greyhound racing in NSW so thats why I am saying that you have got a better result with the consultants employed by the alliance. My suggestion that we look at trusts as a means of advancing the viability of greyhound racing goes well beyond the alliance. Greyhound Racing is a family business dealing with families of greyhounds so so it seems reasonable to me that a discretionary family trust should be involved rather than the failed corporate reforms inflicted on everyone that choke… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw spyman John that’s your conditional aspect , but not everybody believes that’s the case with the Alliance !and like me they have condemn the way it was formed and the integrity of some of the Alliance members, and that’s conspicuous with their previous form. Maybe they should be known as the Z team one spokesman promised millions to fight the cause and no one has seen the cash? maybe the 7 million they got for Lidcombe will help pay for the Legals as they lost the first round of legals and as we know the legal battles can cost… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone The Alliance via the GBOTA have a membership of around thousand which don’t constitute to be the voice of the industry ? as for trying to awaken the so called dead , their not dead they are still trying hang on and want us to give them life support and another crack of killing the industry.and John its not my problem its the problem for all of us to correct and the dead men walking must go for good .History will record the Alliance did not want the Rally as their consultants advised it would not work.… Read more »
BobWhitelaw John Tracey lone widow Bluestone You are entitled to a lot of points with regard to the current dispute but this as a given :- Both the delivery of major financing and the Assembly and March as you suggested the way it should happen added greatly to the success of the event so the risk strategy did not have to be put in place. (Restricted entry to Parliament with chosen representatives). The March was very well conducted so I cannot see the problems. No one or any group of people represent the total voice of anything so any representative group is only… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone John why do you continue to defend the indefensible ? This Alliance has no credibility and are proven failures ! Yes, people should be confident and put their interests to parliament on their future they are saying, they can’t trust the Alliance to do so .Sorry John but a leading Pollie you spoke to, describe you as indecipherable now i know why!
BobWhitelaw John Tracey lone widow Bluestone I took my last post off it seems to be annoying you, We will have to agree not to agree.
John Tracey BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone Good to see that Gladys has stated that one of the first pieces on her agenda is to start moving the greyhound issue forward.
One very important report which the reform panel and the alliance would have seen is the Keniry Report. This report, from the small amount of information leaked, is enough in itself to not only sink the governments propaganda on this issue, but to sink the government itself.
The alliance should push for the release of this report as it clearly shows NSW bred greyhounds living and racing all over Australasia and shows the need for a national approach to breeding.
Trevor H Trevor here is a snippet from the Dubbo Liberal 14th October 2016 by Mark Rayner reporter ” Quote ” Closing some Greyhound Tracks across the State would be a small price to pay to keep the sport strong ,you could cull two and just keep one .I know everyone loves their own Track and wants to keep their own ,but closing tracks may be better for Greyhound Racing, according to Leading Dubbo Trainer Charmaine Roberts ! The question i ask, why would you close tracks that are Financially Viable in the structure of racing around NSW,. A recent… Read more »
Trevor H John Tracey BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone Notice that the Premier is from a migrant family and her father was a boilermaker giving her different life understandings than previous Premier so she might be able to repair some of the self inflicted damage. It will be interesting to see the Cabinet reshuffle and how they shape the wagering, arts and sports departments.
John Tracey Trevor H BobWhitelaw lone widow Bluestone
I hope you’re right about the working class background John.
The whole Liberal party plus Mehreen voted for the ban. It’s hard for me to get my head around the influence someone like Baird and Mehreen had over these assumingly intelligent people.
BobWhitelaw Trevor H Bob,I think a forced reduction in NSW breeding will not hurt NSW racing as much as everyone thinks. It will hurt all the other states (except VIC ) and NZ that underbreed as we will have no overflow of stock for these areas to purchase. The Victorian breeding model rejects lower tier race bitches from obtaining breeding certificates. In the long term this will improve the quality of stock the industry produces. As for funding, there hasn’t been a minster who has been prepared to intervene with the ICA. They always say the codes are statutory authorities that… Read more »