I have my differences with Abbott: Baird

Premier Mike Baird has again sought to distance himself from the prime minister and insists he will continue to speak out against federal funding cuts to NSW.

State Labor leader Luke Foley used his first televised debate against Mr Baird to draw a link between the premier and Tony Abbott, repeatedly referring to the two Liberal leaders as mates and friends.

"Mike, you should use your friendship with Tony Abbott to demand better results for NSW," Mr Foley said on Friday.

"If I'm premier I'll be fighting publicly every single day to get a better deal for the people of NSW."

Mr Baird said he would continue to be a vocal critic of the Abbott government's cuts to state health and education budgets.

"I have had differences with Tony Abbott and the federal government and I will always stand up for the people of this state," he said.