Introduction
Andrew James Constance (born 31 October 1973), an Australian politician, is the New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads in the second Berejiklian ministry since April 2019. He is the member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Bega for the Liberal Party since 2003.
Constance previously served as the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure from 2 April 2015 until 23 March 2019 in the second Baird and first Berejiklian governments; as the Treasurer of New South Wales and the Minister for Industrial Relations between 2014 and 2015 in the first Baird government; as the Minister for Ageing and Disability Services between 2011 and 2013; and as the Minister for Finance and Services, between 2013 and 2014, in the O'Farrell government.
Political career
At the time Constance was elected in 2003, he was aged 29 years, and he became the youngest member of the Parliament. Constance previously worked as a corporate affairs consultant representing large industry associations and multinationals in the Asia-Pacific region. 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.
Constance 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.
Constance 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.
Due to the resignation of Barry O'Farrell as Premier, and the subsequent ministerial reshuffle by Mike Baird, the former Treasurer and new Liberal Leader, in April 2014 Constance was appointed as Treasurer; and his responsibilities expanded to include Industrial Relations less than one month later. Constance handed down his first Budget on 17 June 2014.
Following the 2015 state election, Constance was appointed Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. During Constance's tenure as minister, NSW was the first Australian state to legalise transportation network companies including Uber. He is also responsible for the delivery of Australia's largest public transport project, the Sydney Metro. Following the 2019 state election, Constance was sworn in as the Minister for Transport and Roads in the second Berejiklian ministry, with effect from 2 April 2019.