Senior selfies greet Baird on vote trail

NSW Premier Mike Baird had no shortage of fans on Tuesday's campaign trail, but a preference deal has strengthened Labor's chances of victory on March 28.

NSW Premier Mike Baird walked past the bay of walker frames on Tuesday morning to take the stage in front of nearly 10,000 screaming fans.

Moments earlier he had arrived through the doors of the Seniors Week Gala Concert in inner Sydney and was almost immediately mobbed by women keen to shake his hand, snap a selfie and wish the Liberal leader good luck on March 28.

"He looks taller in real life than on the telly," one elderly well-wisher murmured.

A few hours later, he was back with friends - this time in Parramatta, where Mr Baird met with campaigners and candidates at a western Sydney Liberal launch event.

Penrith MP and Police Minister Stuart Ayres MP told the party faithful: "There's something about Mike Baird that is intrinsically western Sydney, and that's his appetite and thirst for hard work. This is a guy who rolls up his sleeves and gets out there and does the hard yards."

There were standing ovations and chants of "four more years" as Mr Baird made his way to the stage, where he pledged $400 million in funding for the second stage of development at Blacktown-Mount Druitt Hospital.

He has also promised an extra 3500 doctors, nurses and other staff for hospitals around the state.

His Labor opposite, Luke Foley, has also been busy shoring up support.

On the same day it emerged his party had struck a preference deal with the Greens, Mr Foley was in the Blue Mountains unveiling what he said was the most comprehensive environmental protection package in Australian political history.

It includes $150 million to create new national parks, the creation of a Sydney marine park and $37 million to install energy efficient LED lights in hospitals.

Earlier on Tuesday an ALP spokesman confirmed the party had agreed to "co-operate" with the Greens.

The two parties are united in opposition the coalition government's electricity network lease plans, and how-to-vote cards distributed by the Greens will recommend a preference to Labor ahead of the coalition in 23 lower house seats.

Mr Baird said he wasn't surprised, calling the deal "business as usual".


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Source: AAP


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