Jodi McKay denies posing as Andrew Constance’s adviser

IT was the phone call that has left Transport Minister Andrew Constance fuming and could land his political rival Jodi McKay in trouble. Miranda Wood has the exclusive.

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NSW Transport Minister And­rew Constance has accused his rival of “passing herself off” as one of his staffers to extract ­information on a new project.

He said Opposition transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay pretended to be his media adviser — an allegation she denies, describing it as “extraordinary” and “outrageous”.

Mr Constance said he bel­ieved Ms McKay has breached the Code of Conduct for MPs and was seeking legal advice.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has accused rival Jodi McKay of impersonating one of his staffers, which she denies.. Picture: Richard Dobson

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“She’s pretended to be a member of my staff in order to get information out of the Commonwealth,” Mr Constance told The Sunday Telegraph.

“It goes to the heart of the quality of the person she is.”

Ms McKay said she never impersonated a member of his staff when she was contacted by the federal government.

The controversy started when a federal government junior adviser phoned Ms McKay for advice on a media release he was preparing on behalf of Mr Constance, thinking he had called Mr Constance’s media representative.

The adviser, who worked for Nationals MP Keith Pitt, was seeking her approval on quotes for a new bridge in Nowra, on the south coast.

Jodi McKay has denied the allegations, calling them “extraordinary” and “outrageous”. Picture: Paul Braven

The adviser then sent her an email of a draft media release on Thursday, August 23, writing: “As discussed, attached is a draft media release prepared by our department on an event in Nowra next Monday on a bridge concept design.”

Mr Constance said the young adviser has provided his office with a written statement confirming the events.

“We only found out about it when the press release was sent to us and the federal ­department had put Jodi McKay’s number as the media contact,” he said.

Ms McKay said at no point during her phone conversation with the adviser was Mr Constance mentioned by name.