Peter Dutton endorses former NSW treasurer Andrew Constance for Liberal Party preselection in marginal seat

Former state cabinet minister Andrew Constance has received heavyweight backing as he seeks preselection for the second time in the federal seat of Gilmore.

Once a moderate powerbroker of the NSW Liberals, Andrew Constance is now fighting for his political future with the former state treasurer seeking preselection for the second time in the federal seat of Gilmore.

Mr Constance, who was the Member for Bega for 19 years, will be one of two names on the Liberal’s preselection ballot when Gilmore branch members cast their votes in Nowra next Saturday.

Despite narrowly losing the incumbent Labor MP Fiona Phillips in 2022 and being overlooked for the federal senate seat left vacant by the passing of Jim Molan, the former NSW transport minister has received the backing of federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

“Andrew has a profound understanding of what makes the regions tick and has championed the industries which underpin their success with unfailing courage and conviction,” Mr Dutton opined in a letter of support attached to Mr Constance’s preselection nomination seen by this publication.

“In all the portfolios he had held … Andrew’s approach was one which combined creativity, pragmatism and principle.

“One of Andrew’s finest attributes is that he focuses on the things which unite us as Australians. In this, he is able to bridge the regional-city divide and understands the critical elements of running a successful campaign which has wide-appeal.”

Andrew Constance addressing supports on election night in 2022. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Mr Constance quit state politics in the wake of the 2019-20 black summer bushfires where he rose to national prominence for his community advocacy and criticism of then-prime minister Scott Morrison’s response to the unprecedented disaster.

The other nominee vying to contest the marginal seat is Gilmore branch president and Shoalhaven City councillor Paul Ell who pulled out of the preselection race to allow Mr Constance clear passage to run in 2021.

(From left) Paul Ell, Andrew Constance and then-PM Scott Morrison during the 2022 election campaign. Picture: Jason Edwards

The 33-year-old lawyer spent more than four years working for Mr Constance’s former NSW cabinet colleague Gareth Ward, however, the Member for Kiama – who now sits on the crossbench – is not referenced in Mr Ell’s nomination.

Mr Ell received endorsement from The Smith Family chief executive Doug Taylor as well as former University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Paul Wellings.

This publication understands there will be a higher-than-usual turnout of preselectors with the party confident it can win back the seat held by Joanna Gash and Ann Sudmalis for 23 years.

Ms Phillips won the seat against blow-in candidate Warren Mundine in 2019, however, a 2.4 per cent swing towards the Liberals in 2022 saw Mr Constance lose by fewer than 400 votes.

Party regulations regarding media comments prevented the candidates from discussing the preselection process without prior clearance.

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