Bruce Baird was a very egalitarian Member of Parliament graceful around librarians, attendants and waiters. Bruce was a regular swimmer on level 2 at the NSW Parliamentary swimming pool in winter and Andrew Boy Charlton pool in summer. He became a feature at Manly’s Bold and Beautiful ocean swimming club. To boot, Malcolm Turnbull groomed Bruce for several winter swims at Bondi Iceberg.
My daughters were christened at St Mark Darling Point church where Bruce shared several sermons in 1990s. He always had time to stay for morning tea and share a joke or ten with fellow worshippers and the ring leader of the bell ringers, Peter Coleman
Whenever, NSW Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee invited Bruce to speak at seminars, round table and conferences on Olympic Games and Public Private infrastructure projects, Bruce never declined. Even veteran independent politician, John Hatton AO, respects both Bruce and his son Mike who is involved with many charities …
Bruce Baird was a regular swimmer at the Bold and the Beautiful swim squad, which swims between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach. James Brickwood
Mr Baird was father to former NSW premier Mike Baird and journalist Julia Baird.
Bruce Baird, former federal Liberal MP and NSW minister, dies aged 84
Bruce Baird, the Liberal stalwart who fought for refugees, has died aged 84
Former Liberal Party politician Bruce Baird has died aged 84.
Baird was father to former NSW premier Mike Baird, journalist Julia Baird and marketing executive Steve Baird. He was married to Judy, who predeceased him.
Baird was elected to the NSW parliament as the member for Northcott in 1984, and went on to serve as Transport Minister in the Greiner government. He was also responsible for Sydney’s successful bid to host the 2000 Olympics.
From 1984 to 1995, he was a member for the safe oLiberal seat of Northcott in NSW, during which time he served as minister for transport, minister for Sydney’s Olympics bid, and minister for tourism and roads.
In 1998, Baird crossed over to federal parliament after winning the electorate of Cook. A footnote in Liberal Party history is how Baird was overlooked for a ministry position in the John Howard government because of his stance on asylum seekers, which went against Howard’s policy, and his closeness to Howard’s treasurer and nemesis, Peter Costello.
Despite this, Baird was a leading moderate voice in the Howard government who was widely respected within the Coalition and across the aisle. He retired in 2007 and was ultimately replaced in the seat by Scott Morrison.
After politics he led the Tourism and Transport Forum and was chair of the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council, which advised the federal government on refugee policy.
He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for service to Australian parliament in 2010, and for service to the community of NSW through a range of business, tourism and welfare organisations.
Baird, left, with NSW premier Nick Greiner in 1992.
Baird swam regularly as part of the Bold &Beautiful Swim Squad off Manly and Shelly Beaches. He was described as a much-loved member of the group by squad organiser Peter Anthony.
“Bruce was a much-loved part of our swim community and a wonderful friend to so many of us,” Anthony wrote to members on Friday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved him.
“RIP mate. You will always be alongside me around the point.”
