Andrew Constance wins preselection for the federal seat of Gilmore
After an ugly lead-up to the vote former state MP Andrew Constance has won the right to contest the federal seat of Gilmore at the next election.
NSW
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Former NSW Liberal minister Andrew Constance has won preselection for the federal seat of Gilmore, beating his rival Paul Ell 80 votes to 69.
It will be the second time the former NSW transport minister will contest the South Coast seat, after narrowly being beaten by 373 votes at the 2022 federal election.
Determined to kickstart a federal career, the former State member for Bega also made two unsuccessful attempts to enter the Senate only to lose out to former party president Maria Kovacic and ex-Wentworth MP Dave Sharma.
Mr Constance had the backing of Opposition leader Peter Dutton, former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Opposition treasury spokesman Angus Taylor and ex-NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian going in to the preselection.
Mr Ell, a Shoalhaven City Councillor, was supported by moderate Senator Sharma.
It was an ugly lead-up to the Saturday preselection, with supporters of each candidate engaged in mud-slinging.
At a “meet the candidates” gathering held in the coastal town of Culburra last week, Mr Ell claimed he had been placed under pressure to pull out from the preselection to give Mr Constance a clear run.
A senior Liberal Party figure accused of calling Mr Ell with the request denied claims.
Held by Labor MP Fiona Phillips, Gilmore is seen as a must-win seat for Mr Dutton.
Mr Constance held a series of senior portfolios within the then NSW Coalition government, before quitting in May 2020 to seek Liberal preselection for the Eden-Monaro by-election.
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Originally published as Andrew Constance wins preselection for the federal seat of Gilmore
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