"Now is the time," NSW Premier Mike Baird said on Thursday during a live press conference announcing that he is quitting politics.
On Thursday just after 9am, he announced that it was time to hand over the reins to a new premier for the state.
"Serving as premier of NSW has been a tremendous honour, but I have made clear from the beginning that I was in politics to make a difference, and then move on. After 10 years in public life, this moment for me has arrived," he said in a statement.
He said a new premier will be appointed next week.
"Next week there will be a Liberal party-room meeting and a spill of leadership positions. Following that meeting, I will resign from parliament, effective immediately."
"I am immensely proud of what Barry O'Farrell and I - together with Andrew Stoner, Troy Grant, John Barilaro and our teams - have achieved over the past six years," he said.
PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL CONGRATULATED MR BAIRD FOR HIS 'REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP'
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has thanked Mike Baird for his "remarkable leadership".
The prime minister spoke with Mr Baird, who announced his retirement from politics via Twitter on Thursday morning.
Mr Turnbull wished him the best and thanked him for showing remarkable leadership to get NSW moving again, particularly through building infrastructure.
QUITTING POLITICS TO BE WITH MY FAMILY
'There are personal circumstances. People forget that those in public life are humans,' Premier Baird said as he announced his retirement from politics.
During the live press conference, Mr Baird said during his time as Premier, there were times when his parents and his sister were facing health challenges and he couldnt spend time with them. He mentioned his father had gone through an open heart surgery while he was the primary caretaker for his mother who suffers from muscular dystrophy.
'And my sister has just had a recurrence of cancer. And the nature of this job is such that no matter how much you did like to be with them, you cant," he said.
Further into the press conference, he said he looks forward to spending more time with his parents, sister and his children.
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