‘Does not pass the pub test’: Andrew Constance scores council top job

6 days ago 5

Former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance has been picked as the new chief executive of a South Coast council, in an appointment a local Labor MP has said “reeks of jobs for Liberal mates”.

Shoalhaven City Council announced on Tuesday it had appointed Constance, a former Bega MP who unsuccessfully ran as the Liberal candidate for Gilmore in the federal election, as its new head.

The former NSW Transport Minister ran a failed campaign for the south coast seat of Gilmore in this year’s federal poll.

Mayor Patricia White, a member of the Shoalhaven Independent Group, said Constance’s “commitment to the Shoalhaven and his proven leadership make him an outstanding choice to guide our organisation”.

“His deep understanding of regional issues, infrastructure, and community engagement positions him strongly to lead the council into its next chapter,” White said in a council statement.

But the Federal MP for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, who narrowly won the marginal seat in May, said she had “lost all confidence” in the council and White as a result of Constance’s appointment.

“It reeks of jobs for Liberal mates, and does not pass the pub test. It is certainly not in the best interests of Shoalhaven ratepayers,” Phillips said in a statement.

White said Constance brought more than 18 years of public service experience to the council’s top job, including as the Member for Bega from 2003 to 2021. She noted Constance had held senior ministerial portfolios, including as Treasurer, finance, transport and roads, industrial relations, ageing and disability services.

Phillips said White, as well as assistant deputy mayor Selena Clancy, and Independent, and Jason Cox, who is also a member of the Shoalhaven Independent Group, were “actively supporting” Constance during the federal election campaign.

“Mr Constance has no local government employment experience. This smacks of political bastardry. There must have been other applicants on the merit list with local government employment experience.”

She plans to write to NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig to raise her concerns about Constance’s appointment on a five-year contract which comes with a salary of about $400,000.

Labor MP Fiona Phillips beat Constance to win the ultra-marginal seat of Gilmore.

The Herald has contacted Constance for comment.

The council said in its statement that Constance’s appointment followed a “comprehensive recruitment process” that had been led by the council and supported by independent advisers Stephen Blackadder Consulting.

The consultancy firm’s managing director Stephen Blackadder said: “We were incredibly impressed by the depth and diversity of talent that applied for the [chief executive] role.

“After a rigorous and competitive selection process, we’re confident that the successful candidate is the best possible choice.”

Blackadder, who has previously held the role of chief executive at several NSW councils, has recently been mentioned at the Office of Local Government’s public inquiry into Liverpool City Council.

The inquiry has heard Blackadder was involved in recruiting the council’s ousted chief executive John Ajaka, a former Liberal minister and NSW upper house president, who was hired as CEO in 2022 and sacked last year after his once-friendly working relationship with Liberal Mayor Ned Mannoun soured.

Constance begins in his role next week. Interim chief executive Brian Barrett has acted in the position for two months.

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