NSW Premier Mike Baird says fellow Sydneysider and prime minister-designate Malcolm Turnbull has what it takes to deliver for NSW and lead the federal coalition to electoral victory.
Mr Baird emerged from a Liberal party room meeting at NSW Parliament on Tuesday morning to tell reporters he was hurting with his "good mate" Tony Abbott, following Mr Abbott's ousting on Monday night.
"I've sent a message to him last night. It was obviously a difficult time for him and I think all of us feel that," Mr Baird said.
But he says he's ready to work with Mr Turnbull and his cabinet to secure more commonwealth infrastructure boosts for NSW and to prosecute his argument for a GST hike to fund commonwealth spending on health and education.
"He lives in this city, he knows this state, he knows the challenges that we face here," Mr Baird said.
"I look forward to working with him to improve the quality of lives of the people across NSW. Ultimately, whatever your view on politics, if you're doing that then the politics and the votes will follow."
Asked if he believed Mr Turnbull could get the coalition over the line when the nation heads to the polls, which is expected to be next year, Mr Baird replied: "Of course I do."
"Certainly I'll be doing everything possible to ensure they are re-elected because I think it's in the long time interests of this country, economically and across a range of other policy areas."
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