Mr MacDonald said he was shocked and saddened by Mr Baird’s announcement on Thursday that he would resign from State Parliament next week after the party votes in a new leader.

“He is a fine Premier, probably the best premier we have had in many decades and he leaves us in a strong financial position and the best performing State,’’ Mr MacDonald said.

He hoped we had not seen the last of Mr Baird from public life.

“I hope he might return to public life, maybe on the federal level in the future,’’ he said.

“No, don’t read anything in that,’’ when asked if he knew Mr Baird’s future plans.

“I just think he is still a young man and he has more to give,’’ he said.

His legacy would include the increase in infrastructure projects such as the metro transport system in Sydney, the Newcastle light rail, the New England Highway upgrade of both road and bridges, the grain lines.

He said Mr Baird was a man of integrity who had been in government for all the right reasons.

In his decade in politics, many as treasurer and three as premier, Mr Baird had turned around the State’s financial position from a deficit to a strong surplus and had increased expenditure on front line services.

And the council reform under Mr Baird had to happen because of the infrastructure backlog that had been growing exponentially and Mr MacDonald said it would continue to happen on behalf of future ratepayers.

He said the greyhounds issue which had shown systemic cruelty demanded strong action but the community had shown it was not ready for that.

He said that sort of issue takes a personal toll but he thought Mr Baird had faced up to that honestly.

“I will be very sorry to see him leaving. He has been very accessible at all times and a very good sounding board.’’

Next week a Liberal Party-room meeting will elect a new premier.