Slap for Andrew Constance a warning to other Liberals

Gladys Berejiklian has dumped Andrew Constance from a prestigious parliamentary role.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance. Picture: Josh Burkinshaw

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has dumped NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance from his prestigious parliamentary role as Leader of the House, in a move designed to place cabinet colleagues “on notice” ahead of a planned post-COVID reshuffle.

The Australian has learned Ms Berejiklian summoned Mr Constance to a private meeting on Thursday in which it was negotiated that he would remain as Transport Minister but relinquish his ceremonial role as government leader in the Legislative Assembly.

The demotion will not result in a salary reduction, but it will be perceived as an act of discipline, though it stops short of calls that he be dumped from cabinet altogether.

Mr Constance has faced a tumultuous week of political brinkmanship. On Monday he was accused of undermining Deputy Premier John Barilaro in his attempt to stand at the forthcoming Eden-Monaro by-election. The next day, Mr Constance indicated his own likely tilt at the seat, effectively signalling an imminent departure from state politics.

By Wednesday he’d reversed that decision, citing a need to remain focused on the NSW bushfire recovery. Colleagues said the more likely reason was that his endorsement appeared doubtful.

On Friday Ms Berejiklian said the removal of Mr Constance's title "stands to reason" as he "indicated already he wanted to spend more time in his community." 

Federal Agricultural Minister David Littleproud said the Coalition "deserves an uppercut" for publicly display of party politics. 

“Self-indulgence on any level is not accepted by the Australian people, nor should it be. We deserve an uppercut. You have a look at yourself, you dust yourself off and get back to basics. We can’t sugarcoat it, that’s the truth,” 

A government official briefed on the matter said the recalibration of Mr Constance’s role was designed to send a message to other senior members of government. “Everyone, including him, is on notice. When the worst of the pandemic is over there will be a wider reshuffle,” the official said, confirming a long-rumoured reassignment of portfolios.

“As people get back to work, transport is going to be the No 1 game to get the city going, and he said himself he has a lot of work to do in his electorate. It allows him to focus on (those) other areas.”

Mr Constance was not able to be reached for comment.

The Leader of the House notionally oversees bills requiring passage and other administrative arrangements. Dry as that may sound, it is regarded with cachet, and is generally held by ministers rather than backbenchers.

Mr Constance had held the position since April 2019. Mark Speakman, the moderate-aligned Attorney-General, will be his replacement, the official said.

Asked about Mr Barilaro and Mr Constance on Thursday, Ms Berejiklian indicated some disappointment with the distraction caused by their political ambitions.

“I say this with every strength of breath I have with me, my expectation is that every member of my team has their head down working hard during some of the darkest times in the state’s history,” she said.

Disciplinary action is unlikely against Mr Barilaro, the official said, because while he is a senior member of the government, he is not a member of the Liberal Party.

NSW Labor has already called on both Mr Constance and Mr Barilaro to be sacked from cabinet over what it termed a “dereliction of duty” to the people of the state.

“What we saw over the past few days was nothing less than an appalling dereliction of duty by John Barilaro and Andrew Constance, who put their own jobs ahead of the jobs of millions of people across NSW,” said Ryan Park, Labor’s manager of opposition business, on Wednesday.

Some Liberal backbenchers expressed a similar view, telling The Australian that both men had been self-serving and treacherous in their desire to defect from their coveted spots in government.