The greyhound racing confrontation Mike Baird did not want recorded
This is the video NSW Premier Mike Baird did not want recorded – his street conversation in Orange with a man who wanted to talk about greyhounds.
It’s an issue that Opposition polling shows is hurting Mr Baird’s party and its Coalition partners, and especially his popularity as leader.
The once widely-popular Premier is now being hounded on the streets over his government’s greyhound ban.
In the amateur footage, the man can be heard saying he “just wants to talk”, but Mr Baird and his team were not in the mood for conversation.
“No, no. But I’m happy to [talk]… I don’t want the video,” Mr Baird said.
He was once known for loving video and embracing social media, but he was not happy when this unscripted exchange was posted online.
In the video, a man who identifies himself as a police officer demands the member of the public stops filming.
“Is it illegal? Is it illegal to film?” the man asks.
“Listen, listen. I’m a police officer,” the guard interjects before he himself is cut off by another query as to whether it is illegal to film the Premier.
Later, Mr Baird he did not want to have a “private discussion, sort of, broadcast”.
The government ban on greyhound racing is biting deeply, especially in the National Party heartland around Orange in the central west of NSW.
An upcoming by election has the government in danger, which ReachTel showing the Nationals lead Labor just 52-48.
The poll also shows Transport Minister Andrew Constance is as popular as Mike Baird as preferred Premier.
The Treasurer is way back in the field.
Opposition leader Luke Foley said Mr Baird had stopped listening to voters.
“Well, people in the Liberal party are asking questions as so many in the community are about Mr Baird’s leadership,” Mr Foley said.
“… Because he’s stopped listening, he insists he always knows best.”
Those polling results are a pain for a government struggling for the first time in five years.
It is also a period where Labor has under performed and there is no mention if voters were asked what they thought of the opposition leader and his deputy.
