Focus on community, not the Prime Minister text scandal, says Gilmore candidate Andrew Constance

An alleged conversation between a "senior Liberal cabinet minister" and former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was read out by Channel Ten's political editor Peter Van Onselen yesterday, after the Prime Minister gave a speech at the National Press Club.

Ms Berejiklian reportedly labelled Prime Minister Scott Morrison a "horrible, horrible person", with the minister responding he was a "complete psycho".

The Prime Minister said being the subject of "nasty" comments is just part of leading the country and dismissed it as "gossip".

Former NSW transport minister and Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, has been ruled out as Van Onselen alleged a "current" Liberal minister was involved in the exchange.

"The issue relates to a sitting minister, and I'm not serving at the moment," said Mr Constance.

Mr Constance resigned from state politics in October to run for the federal seat of Gilmore.

Speaking of the text scandal, Constance said yesterday was a "sad day" for Australia and that it was "vital" politics changes.

"We can't continue to have Australia and our region focused on the wrong things," he said.

"The community is first and foremost. When you see things like this happen, the critical issues like COVID that are really important get cast to one side.

"Most people when they see this stuff shake their heads and want to get focused on what really is at the heart of their day-to-day lives."

Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips agreed there were more important matters to focus on, but said the scandal reflected on the behaviour of the Liberal government.

"I just wish the Liberal government would stop talking about themselves," she said.

"There are serious issues especially in this electorate, particularly in regard to bushfire recovery and fixing the housing crisis.

"It's disappointing to see the Liberal government in turmoil."

Van Onselen said the text exchange happened around the time of the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.

Mr Constance called out Mr Morrison during this time and said he got "the welcome he probably deserved" when heckled by angry Cobargo residents after he visited to assess the damage.

"The thing is with the fires is I called it as I saw it on behalf of the community," said Mr Constance.

"I will not take a backward step, and that should be expected of our local community leaders."

Since the fires, Mr Constance has been outspoken on the need for the government to address climate change and has bushfire recovery on high on his agenda.

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