Mike Baird's father, Bruce, says the Premier's ability to win over the people of NSW is down to his mother.
"I am very proud of Mike, especially tonight. He stood by what he believed in. He has worked it hard and gave it his all," Mr Baird told Channel Nine at the Liberal Party celebrations at the Wentworth Sofitel Hotel in Sydney.
"The poles and wires is going to be a challenge for him, hopefully he will continue to kick a lot of goals."
When asked why Mr Baird had proved such a popular premier, Baird senior said it had little to do with him.
"Why is he such a popular Premier? He takes after his mother," he said.
Mr Baird said his son had always had a folllowing of friends, even as a young boy. He won them over with his sense of humour, he said.
But the former deputy leader of the Liberal Party in NSW conceded he had exerted some influence on the Premier's career.
"Sometimes he calls me for advice and I try not to give him negative views," he said.
As his father was speaking, Mike Baird was arriving at the Sofitel hand-in-hand with wife Kerryn, having changed from a relaxed blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves into a dinner suit.
Philip Ruddock had also arrived at the party but former NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, was not present.
