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Mike Baird has been elected as leader of the Liberal Party of NSW, and will be Premier.
A party official has confirmed Mr Baird was elected unopposed, as was his deputy, Gladys Berejiklian.
3.06pm: What do you know about the man expected to be the next NSW premier?
Eighteen months ago, Good Weekend's Stephanie Wood wrote this in-depth profile of the Member for Manly, Mike Baird. A selection of facts:
• a former investment banker
• studied to become a Christian minister
• married, with three children
• patrols in red and yellow for Queenscliff SLSC
• excelled at cricket and baseball and is handy with a sports statistic.
• father Bruce Baird served in both the Greiner state government and Howard federal government
2.58pm: The 43rd premier of New South Wales, one Barry O'Farrell, has arrived at the Macquarie Room where he will chair the meeting to choose his successor.
Still currently the premier, Mr O'Farrell will resign his position and then call for a ballot to follow in his footsteps.
2.50pm: Liberal Party figures are gathering now at the Macquarie Room of the NSW Parliament to elect their new leader.
It seems like the result of both positions is a foregone conclusion. Anthony Roberts, of the party's right, has thrown his support behind Gladys Berejiklian to become deputy, having earlier withdrawn from the ballot.
Mike Baird is poised to become the next Premier of NSW after his nearest rival for the job, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, decided not to challenge in a leadership ballot.
Liberal MPs will meet at 3pm on Thursday to decide their new leader after the shock resignation of Premier Barry O'Farrell on Wednesday.
Supporters of each minister have been running the numbers overnight in anticipation of a ballot.
But while there are suggestions Ms Berejiklian has a slight edge, the prospect of a split partyroom vote - and the message that could send - has prompted her to reconsider whether she will run.
Ms Berejiklian and Mr Baird, who is the Treasurer, will meet on Thursday morning. It is anticipated Ms Berejiklian will tell Mr Baird she will not contest the ballot in the interests of party stability.
It is unclear if there may be other challengers for the leadership, including Community Services Minister Pru Goward. Regardless, Mr Baird is expected to have the support to carry any ballot that may occur.
Ms Berejiklian may put her hand up for the Deputy Liberal leader's job, but it is unlikely she will seek a new portfolio such as Treasury.
Contenders for the deputy leadership may include Energy Minister Anthony Roberts and Ms Goward.
Source: smh.com.au
