Andrew Constance

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The Honourable
Andrew Constance
MP
Member of New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
22 March 2003
Preceded by Russell Smith
Constituency Bega
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
Assumed office
2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Gladys Berejiklian (as Minister for Transport)
Treasurer of New South Wales
In office
2 August 2013 – 2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Mike Baird
Succeeded by Gladys Berejiklian
Minister for Ageing
In office
4 April 2011 – 2 August 2013
Premier Barry O'Farrell
Preceded by Peter Primrose
Succeeded by John Ajaka
Minister for Disability Services
In office
4 April 2011 – 2 August 2013
Premier Barry O'Farrell
Preceded by Peter Primrose
Succeeded by John Ajaka
Minister for Industrial Relations
In office
6 May 2014 – 2 April 2015
Premier Mike Baird
Preceded by Mike Gallacher
Succeeded by Gladys Berejiklian
Personal details
Born (1973-10-31) 31 October 1973 (age 50)
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Children One
Website Parliamentary webpage

Andrew James Constance MP (born 31 October 1973), an Australian politician, is the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure since 2 April 2015 in the second Baird government.[1][2] He is also a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Bega for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2003.[3]

Andrew has previously served as the Treasurer of New South Wales and the Minister for Industrial Relations between 2014 and 2015 in the first Baird government;[4][5] the Minister for Ageing and Disability Services between 2011 and 2013; and the Minister for Finance and Services, between 2013 and 2014, in the O'Farrell government.

Political career

At the time when Andrew was elected in 2003, he was aged 29 years, and he became the youngest member of the Parliament. Andrew previously worked as a corporate affairs consultant representing large industry associations and multinationals in the Asia-Pacific region.[6] A former President of the Young Liberals, his family connections in the Bega area stem back to the 1860s when his great-great-grandfather, James Constance, drove a team of bullocks through the Bega Valley.[7]

Andrew was appointed Minister for Ageing and Disability Services in 2011 and championed the person-centred reforms which were necessary steps towards the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Under Constance's stewardship, NSW became the first Australian state or territory to agree to the full funding of the scheme with the Commonwealth.

Andrew was promoted as Minister for Finance and Services in 2013 after the sacking of Greg Pearce, with the portfolio of Ageing and Disability Services transferred to John Ajaka. Constance continued the work of the government in reforming the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme, in order to return the scheme to a sustainable footing. Constance continued the government's ICT open data policy, delivered better management of government property, reaping millions through the sale of surplus assets, and oversaw the decentralisation of government jobs to Western Sydney.[8][9]

Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier,[10] and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the former Treasurer and new Liberal Leader,[4] in April 2014 Constance was appointed as Treasurer;[3][11][12] and his responsibilities expanded to include Industrial Relations less than one month later.[5]

Andrew handed down his first Budget on 17 June 2014.

Following the 2015 state election, Constance was demoted to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.[1][2] As transport minister, Andrew has publicly stated he can 'understand the concerns for safety and reliability when it comes to public transport', because he was mugged on a train in his youth.[13]

References

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  13. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/road-rage-as-a-meddling-lord-mayor-clover-moore-tells-western-sydney-residents-to-take-the-bus/story-fni0cx12-1227293415785
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by Member for Bega
2003–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Disability Services
2011–2013
Succeeded by
John Ajaka
Preceded by Minister for Ageing
2011–2014
Preceded by Minister for Finance and Services
2013–2014
Succeeded by
Dominic Perrottet
Preceded by Treasurer of New South Wales
2014–2015
Succeeded by
Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by Minister for Industrial Relations
2014–2015
Preceded by as Minister for Transport Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
2015–present
Incumbent