Liberal MP and returned Member for Bega Andrew Constance says he is happy to serve the electorate, and the state, in whatever capacity is needed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Re-elected NSW Premier Mike Baird is expected to make an announcement over a reshuffled Cabinet later this week after successfully returning to the top job in Saturday’s election.
There are rumours Mr Constance is headed for the Health portfolio with former banker Gladys Berejiklian making the step up into Treasury.
However, “there’s always talk” Mr Constance said on Monday.
“Mike will put the best people in the best positions and I am happy to serve in any capacity.
“What is most exciting is the building of infrastructure across the state will be phenomenal.
“And it’s my position to push very hard for that to include rural areas.”
“I’m very grateful for the Bega electorate’s confidence in me as their member again for the next four years.
“I’m proud of the building work we’re part of in this region including the Eden Port and new regional hospital," he said.
Mr Constance said he was “humbled” by Saturday’s election result, which returned him for his fourth term as Member for Bega.
Depite his victory, there was a strong swing to Labor.
With votes still being counted on Monday, Mr Constance has 57.55 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote, with Country Labor's Leanne Atkinson sitting on 42.45 per cent, up from 31.4 per cent in 2011 - an 11 per cent swing.
Mr Constance also thanked his political opponents for the way in which they conducted their campaigns.
However, he was less complimentary to the union movement.
Mr Constance lashed out at what he said was a "revolting" union campaign against himself, and a "smear and fear" campaign against the proposed lease of 49 per cent of the state's electricity infrastructure.?
He also criticised "the nurses ad about Americanising the health system and us wanting to sell off hospitals - it was talked about us wanting to privatise Bega Hospital," he said.?
"People saw through that, but it was a nasty, expensive advertising campaign, which also had an effect (on voters)," he said.