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The previous Liberal politician Bruce Baird, who served in state and federal parliaments and performed a key function in securing the Sydney 2000 Olympics, has died whereas on an abroad journey. He was 84.
A number of sources near Baird have confirmed the eager ocean swimmer died in Singapore after a fall on his manner residence from a European vacation.
Baird is the daddy of former NSW premier Mike Baird, who led the state from 2014 to 2017, journalist Julia Baird and Steve who works within the not-for-proft sector. His spouse Judy died in 2021.
Because the state MP for the now-abolished seat of Northcott, Baird was instrumental in profitable the Olympics for Sydney whereas on Macquarie Road, the place he was minister for tourism, roads, atmosphere and transport.
He was elected Northcott in 1984, and held the seat for 11 years, earlier than transferring to federal politics when he was elected to the southern Sydney seat of Cook dinner in 1998.
He represented the citizens for 9 years, retiring earlier than the 2007 election and making manner for future prime minister Scott Morrison to take the seat.
Baird was by no means a minister in federal parliament. He was neglected for a frontbench place within the Howard authorities due to his stance on asylum seekers, which went towards Howard’s coverage on the time, in addition to his closeness to Howard’s treasurer and nemesis, Peter Costello.
In his valedictory speech, in line with a report within the publication Sydney Anglicans in 2007, Baird paid tribute to a younger man known as Adnan, who was the primary of fifty asylum instances that Baird grew to become personally concerned with.
Baird took the case to then immigration minister Phillip Ruddock who used his ministerial powers to grant Adnan refugee standing. The younger Iranian went on to check engineering and was a translator for his Farsi-speaking congregation at Guildford Anglican Church.
“This for me illustrates why a compassionate method is so vital,” Baird instructed his parliamentary colleagues.
Earlier than his political profession, Baird’s was assistant commerce commissioner on the Australian embassy in Germany within the early Seventies, adopted by a three-year stint as commerce commissioner in New York.
Baird swam within the “Daring & Stunning” swim squad, which frequently exercised within the waters off Manly and Shelly Seaside. He was described as a “much-loved” member by squad organiser Peter Anthony, and a “nice mate” to these within the group.
“Bruce was a much-loved a part of our swim group and an exquisite pal to so many people,” Anthony instructed members on Friday. “Our ideas are together with his household and everybody who liked him.”
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking information reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He beforehand helmed the nationwide information dwell weblog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Join by way of electronic mail.
Alexandra Smith is a senior author and former state political editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.Join by way of X or electronic mail.