Labor to run candidate in Bega by-election after Andrew Constance’s resignation

Labor will run a candidate in the by-election caused by Andrew Constance’s resignation despite leader Chris Minns describing the poll as expensive and “unnecessary” last month.

State Labor will run a candidate in the Bega by-election, set to be caused by Andrew Constance’s resignation from state politics.

Labor has chosen to contest the seat despite Leader Chris Minns last month criticising the looming by-election as expensive and unnecessary.

When Mr Constance announced his resignation, Mr Minns called on him to reverse his decision and stay in state parliament rather than causing an “unnecessary by-election”.

Andrew Constance is resigning as Bega MP to run for preselection in the federal seat of Gilmore. Picture: Martin Rainer Helmreich

Labor Leader Chris Minns previously called Bega by-election “unnecessary”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Labor’s candidate for Bega will be chosen through its usual rank and file preselection process.

The decision to contest the Bega by-election will put further strain on the NSW Labor Party’s dire finances. The party will also need to fund an upcoming campaign in Holsworthy (set to be vacated by Melanie Gibbons) and Strathfield (after former Labor Leader Jodi McKay announced she’d quit politics).

Labor will also need to decide whether to run a candidate in the Monaro by-election, caused by former Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s resignation. The party may also run a candidate for the Gladys Berejiklian’s seat of Willoughby, but Labor’s chances of winning the north shore seat are slim to none.

Mr Minns is set to visit the Bega electorate in coming days to formally announce the party will contest the poll.

Mr Constance is still yet to formally quit state parliament. Even if he quit before the end of the year, it would be all but impossible for a by-election to be held before February.

The Liberal Party holds the far south coast seat with a margin of 6.9 per cent. That margin is set to be reduced by the departure of a high profile local member and the traditional swing against governments at a by-elections.

But Mr Minns described the electorate as “almost impossible to win” for Labor.

“Labor has never held this seat, and we are starting from a long way behind,” he said.

“We will have to work for every single vote that we get and to regain the trust of voters.”

The Liberal party opened nominations for preselection last month. Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes has already indicated she will run for Liberal preselection. A Liberal source said Bega Valley Shire councillor Mitchell Nadin has also expressed his desire to nominate.