Minister quits for federal run

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance is resigning from state politics to take a run at federal politics in the seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed the decision and said Mr Constance “tells it straight” and “would make a great member of our team”.

It is Mr Constance’s second crack at a federal job after he announced he was running for the seat of Eden-Monaro in May last year only to pull out less than 24 hours later.

“I want to indicate after months of speculation, I will be putting my name forward for Liberal preselection for the seat of Gilmore with the eye to moving to the federal parliament from the state parliament,” he said.

Mr Constance said the “heartbreaking” resignation of Gladys Berejiklian had brought forward his decision.

He said it was “incredibly tough” to see the downfall of “one of the most incredible premiers that the state has ever had” but that he meant he needed to act to give certainty to the new leader.

“I will stand down as Transport Minister in the reshuffle that happens this week.”