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

NSW Liberal minister Andrew Constance confirms he will run in the federal seat of Gilmore ahead of the 2022 election.

NSW Liberal minister Andrew Constance has confirmed he will quit state parliament to run in the federal seat of Gilmore ahead of the 2022 election.

Mr Constance on Sunday said he would resign as transport and roads minister this week and end his role as the member for Bega “by the end of this year.”

It’s the second time the veteran Bega MP has announced his intention to run for Federal parliament. Last year he said he would run for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro before later pulling out of the contest.

Mr Constance said he would not walk away from serving his local community while the NSW Liberal Party pursued a “new direction” following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian over an ICAC probe into grants awarded to community organisations.

“I love our region, its people and I could not be more proud to continue to serve. From Black Summer to the pandemic, we are the strongest and most resilient communities that you will ever see,” Mr Constance said.

Currently held by Labor’s Fiona Phillips on a margin of 2.6 per cent, Gilmore covers a large chunk of his state seat of Bega, including the Shoalhaven and South Coast town centres of Nowra-Bomaderry, Kiama and Milton-Ulladulla.

The seat was previously contested by the Liberal Party in 2019 by Warren Mundine.

Mr Constance said he was heartbroken for his “long-term friend”, Ms Berejiklian, describing her as “one of the best premiers we have ever seen”.

“Like so many of us, I am heartbroken for my long-time friend Gladys Berejiklian,” he said. “By retiring from state cabinet and NSW Parliament, I will provide an incoming leader the opportunity to fill this position.

“Gladys has been an amazing leader on both a personal and broader community level. Her care and support during Black Summer, in which we worked so closely together, is something that is very dear to my heart.”

Scott Morrison welcomed Mr Constance’s decision to run for the federal seat of Gilmore, declaring the NSW MP is a straight shooter with an “outstanding local reputation”.

“I warmly welcome Andrew Constance’s decision to seek endorsement to be part of our federal Liberal team as our Liberal Candidate for Gilmore,” the Prime Minister said on Sunday.

“Andrew has an outstanding local reputation and a great deal to offer at the federal level, especially given his experience in the NSW government. He tells it straight and would make a great member of our team.”