NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has resigned from state politics to run for federal parliament instead of challenging for premier.
Mr Constance was considering a push for the state’s top job after Gladys Berejiklian resigned on Friday, but will instead run for the federal seat of Gilmore.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is the favourite to become the premier, though also in contention is Planning Minister Rob Stokes, who nominated on Saturday.
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance (pictured) was tipped as one of the frontrunners to replace Ms Berejiklian but announced he would leave state politics on Sunday
A tearful Gladys Berejiklian (pictured Friday) has resigned as NSW premier and slammed the state’s corruption watchdog for investigating her
Mr Constance made a formal announcement on Sunday afternoon confirming his resignation from state politics and nomination for the federal seat of Gilmore.
‘There has been a lot of speculation over the past few weeks, but I will be resigning as Transport and Roads Minister this week and as the Member for Bega by the end of the year,’ he said in a statement.
‘I am very conscious of getting our community out of Covid lockdown and working alongside our small businesses to rebound as strongly as we can’
The 47-year-old member for Bega has held an array of portfolios during his tenure in state politics – including industrial relations, finance, disability, and ageing.
In May 2020 he announced he would seek Liberal Party preselection for the seat of Eden-Monaro at the 2020 by-election.
Bega MP Andrew Constance on the front line of Australia’s bushfire crisis, fighting a blaze near his home in Malua Bay in December 2019
However, less than a day later he withdrew calling it a ‘hasty decision’.
During Australia 2019-20 summer bushfires, Mr Constance was on the front line – going missing after staying back at his family home in Malua Bay to fight off an approaching blaze on New Year’s Eve.
More than 400 houses were destroyed by fires in Mr Constance’s electorate, leaving the regional economy in tatters.
‘I’ve got to be honest with you, it took a bloody big fire to make me realise how wrong politics is in this country,’ he said in the aftermath of the bushfires.
‘We’ve got this mechanical political approach to everything, that it’s all scripted… Let’s start operating on our guts.’ he said.
Mr Constance was frustrated with various efforts of the bushfire recovery program including the slow distribution of funds for those who lost their homes.
‘If announcements are going to be made about money from government, we’ve got to make sure that the money is in people’s accounts that day,’ he told Daily Mail Australia in January 2020.
Mr Constance (pictured with his wife Jennifer in 2020) said the 2019-20 summer bushfires had made him realise how ineffective the political system can be
‘It’s not a case of make the announcement, then try and work it out because that is a false hope.
‘People are needing the support right now at this very minute.
‘The outpouring of gratitude for the generosity of Australians has been amazing but there’s too many people in the middle.
‘It’s got to go to the people who need it now who are in this crisis and not next week, not the week after, right now.’
The reality of the bushfire tragedy hit hard for Mr Constance, who shared the story of defending his home on The Project.
‘I thought I was going to die that day and thought I was going to lose Jen (his wife) and the kids and never see them again,’ he said.
‘And then Cobargo happened and it just really dawned on me that the profession itself in terms of politics is so wrong in this country.
‘I don’t want to be like that any more.’
Fire burned to the edge of Mr Constance’s home (pictured) on New Year’s Eve, with more than 400 houses destroyed by fire in his electorate
NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance and his wife Ainslie return to NSW Parliament after taking questions from the media after delivering his first budget in 2014
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said he has been speaking with family and colleagues, but is yet to officially put up his hand for NSW premier.
The fact he had received ‘some strong feedback’ was as much as the deputy Liberal leader would reveal on Saturday.
Former prime minister John Howard was more forthcoming.
‘A number of talented MPs have been suggested as (Berejiklian’s) replacement (but) I hope that Dominic Perrottet becomes the new Liberal leader, and therefore the next premier of NSW,’ he said.
‘He has the intelligence, experience and commitment to reform that the state needs at this time.’
Signage covered much of the windows outside Ms Berejiklian’s Willoughby office (pictured) on the weekend
Another considering his options is Attorney-General Mark Speakman.
‘I’m heartened by the encouragement I’ve received from colleagues to nominate and I’ll have more to say tomorrow,’ he said on Saturday.
Another potential contender is Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres while Environment Minister Matt Kean and Police Minister David Elliott are being spoken of as possible deputies.
Whoever wins has a tough act to follow.
Ms Berejiklian since her resignation has been lauded by everyone from state Opposition Leader Chris Minns – who said he ‘cannot fault her dedication and hard work’ – to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who praised her ‘heroic’ qualities.
Constituents on Saturday flocked to her home and office with flowers and balloons, while others put up handmade signs.
Her office window is scattered with gifts and messages from loyal supporters (pictured)
Messages began to appear just hours after she announced her resignation (pictured)
Ms Berejiklian announced her resignation as premier on Friday after the state’s corruption watchdog disclosed the 51-year-old was under investigation for potential breaches of public trust.
The ICAC said it was investigating whether she ‘exercised public functions’ in a position of conflict given her secret five-year relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire.
Teary and at times angry, she said on Friday she had ‘no option’ other than to resign but denied any wrongdoing.
She will also resign from parliament as soon as a by-election for her seat of Willoughby on Sydney’s Lower North Shore can be held.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet (pictured), a conservative and devout Catholic with six children, is next in line to lead the NSW Liberal Party