Mike Baird channelled a bit of Michael Jordan on the campaign trail, shooting hoops with journalists and even landing a three-pointer, as the premier toured a key bellwether seat in the state's south.
As impressive as his skills were, he may need to do even more to persuade voters in the electorate of Monaro to back Nationals MP John Barilaro who is at serious risk of losing his seat to Labor.
With 18 days until the election, the premier knows just how important the seat is considering it's been won by the governing party at 25 of the 28 elections since 1927.
"If we don't win here, obviously that threatens our ability to govern overall," he said.
Mr Baird used his visit to announce a $224 million program for a thousand of the state's best teachers to mentor and coach their colleagues.
The money could go towards paying for casual teachers to fill in for mentoring teachers while they spend time training their colleagues.
"We want the best teachers of today to train the best teachers of tomorrow," he said outside Queanbeyan South Public School.
His Labor rival Luke Foley targeted health policy in Sydney with a $96 million promise to ensure there is one nurse for every three patients in NSW emergency and pediatric services.
"Wherever I go across the state and talk to nurses, their number one request of our state government is to introduce nurse-to-patient ratios in the interests of patient care," said Mr Foley, who campaigned alongside federal opposition leader Bill Shorten on Tuesday.
Mr Barilaro picked up the seat from Labor's Steve Whan, a former minister and more recently ALP leadership hopeful, at the 2011 election.
Mr Whan, who held the seat from 2003 and 2011, moved to the upper house and is now hoping to reclaim his old seat at the March 28 election.
The premier also visited Queanbeyan Basketball Centre where he made one of his more modest election pledges, promising $60,000 to keep the facility afloat.
He took the opportunity to show off his basketball skills, teaming up with press gallery journalists in a game against local club the Queanbeyan Yowies.
Share
