BREAKING: NSW Premier Mike Baird Retires From Politics

NSW Premier Mike Baird has today announced he is retiring from politics. 

Taking to Twitter this morning, Baird said, "I'm retiring from politics. It's been an honour to serve you, NSW".

A new Premier is expected to be announced next week.

Baird has been slammed for some time now by Sydneysiders for firm stance on lockout laws, even being slugged with the #casinomike hashtag, in relation to the Star Casino being exempted from the controversial legislation. 

The pressure didn't ease either when the Baird government announced last month that lockouts will be pushed back by just 30 minutes, after a review of the laws suggested they should be relaxed.

A number of rallies primarily organised by anti-lockouts group Keep Sydney Open in the last year have seen up to 22,000 people storm the city's streets. 

Keep Sydney Open will be hosting their first night rally in Kings Cross this weekend, where Flight Facilities are set to perform.

The Music has contacted Keep Sydney Open for comment.

See Baird's full statement below. 

I'm retiring from politics. It's been an honour to serve you, NSW. pic.twitter.com/eFInOqoC19

— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) January 18, 2017