NSW MP Andrew Constance to quit state politics for tilt at federal seat

The NSW Transport Minister has made a shock announcement two days after the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian.

The NSW Transport Minister has announced he will quit state politics to instead run for a south coast federal seat currently held by Labor.

Andrew Constance said he will resign from NSW cabinet in the coming days, and as the member for the state seat of Bega by the end of the year.

He will be contesting the federal seat of Gilmore at the next election, he said.

His announcement came just two days after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced she was resigning as a result of a corruption investigation into her conduct in office.

“Like so many of us, I am heartbroken for my long-time friend Gladys Berejiklian,” Mr Constance said on Sunday.

“By retiring from state cabinet and NSW parliament, I will provide an incoming leader the opportunity to fill this position.”

Mr Constance and his Liberal colleagues in the NSW parliament are in the process of choosing a new leader ahead of a party room meeting on Tuesday.

Gilmore, which is in NSW’s Shoalhaven and Illawarra regions and includes communities like Batemans Bay, Kiama and Ulladulla, is represented by Labor MP Fiona Phillips.

Andrew Constance is quitting state politics.. Picture / Monique Harmer

In his statement on Sunday, Mr Constance did not say why he wanted to vie for a federal seat instead of continuing to serve in state parliament.

However, he has previously engaged in a short-lived campaign for pre-selection for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro, in 2020.

In his statement, Mr Constance reflected on his nearly two decades as member for Bega and said he was proud of contributing to big infrastructure projects like Sydney’s Metro train service and the duplication of the Princes Highway.

“During my almost two decades in state politics, and ten and a half years as a cabinet minister, I have had the privilege of serving as Minister for Disability Services, the State’s Treasurer, as well as Infrastructure, Transport and Roads Minister,” he said.

“I am very proud of being part of the team which launched the National Disability Insurance Scheme to provide support to some of our most vulnerable community members.

“I have also had the privilege of working on some of the biggest road and rail projects in the nation’s history, including the duplication of the Princes Highway and Sydney Metro.”

Ms Berejiklian said she would leave parliament at the earliest opportunity after anti-corruption watchdog ICAC announced a probe into whether she breached public trust with respect to grants awarded to community organisations while she was in a secret relationship with ex-Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

“I state categorically, I have always acted with the highest level of integrity,” she said as she announced her resignation.

Ms Berejiklian will be formally replaced as Premier when the Liberal party elect her successor on Tuesday.