Mr Baird took to the streets and sands of Manly on Friday, extending his hand to locals and basking in the buzz of the impending visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

He was still slightly dazed at his surprise elevation to the state's top office. ''All of us remain in quite a shocked state, it is unbelievable to be standing here today if I'm very honest about it,'' he said at Manly wharf after attending morning church.

''This afternoon I'll have [the opportunity] to actually meet the royals, it's something I never thought I'd do.''

His first words to Wills and Kate, Mr Baird said, would be: ''G'day''.

''I love the young royals, because they represent hope,'' he said.

''We love to hear a story about a prince marrying a princess and that's happened in this case.''

The 46-year-old - who is, incidentally, a committed republican - has had scant time to celebrate his own fairytale rise through the Liberal ranks.

The state opposition reiterated on Friday its three-pronged attack on the rookie Premier: a potential sale of the state's electricity poles and wires; the influence of donors and lobbyists; and unanswered questions over why Mr Baird appointed controversial Liberal identity Nick Di Girolamo to a government board. Mr Di Girolamo, who is being investigated by a corruption inquiry, gave a $3000 bottle of wine to former premier Barry O'Farrell. Mr O'Farrell failed to recall the gift while testifying at the ICAC, a failure that prompted his resignation.

Labor leader John Robertson said Mr Baird must ''detail how he's going to deal with the toxic culture within the Liberal Party of lobbyists and donors''.

''After the events over the last week … the community rightly is calling for trust to be restored in government in this state,'' he said.

Mr Baird pointed to Labor's chequered record but conceded ''the community has spoken on donations [and] lobbyists. It is critical we retain the trust of the community and we will do everything possible to do that''.

Tony King, of Belrose, said Mr Baird had ''a bit of ground work'' to do.

''He's very young … no one knows him really. A lot of people looked at him [and wondered] 'who are you, with the media throng following you?' They thought he was attached to His Royal Cuteness [Prince George].''