Andrew Constance could not bring himself to use the R word but he effectively retired from politics on Monday after his unsuccessful tilt at the federal seat of Gilmore.

After more than 22 years in politics, including a stint as NSW Treasurer during his 18-year run as the Member for Bega, the 51-year-old is ready for the next stage of his life.

In a parting shot at failed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s short-lived attempt to cancel work from home arrangements for public servants, Constance quipped that he was looking for a gig in the corporate world or not-for-profit sector with flexible working arrangements.

After losing the 2022 election by a razor-thin margin of 373 votes to Fiona Phillips, this time around the Labor incumbent trounced him by around 10,000 votes as part of the nationwide swing against Dutton which has led to Anthony Albanese forming a majority government.

Constance was philosophical about the election result.

“It's the community's decision and they've made that choice. It's an important choice for them,” he said.

“I also want to wish Fiona well, and just say if Fiona exceeds in her role, then our community gets the benefit of that. And there are great things that need to happen. I'd like to see her achieve that. Starting with the Princes Highway.

“I'll be honest with you - unfortunately, it's gone back to the status of the deadliest in the country. We need Moruya bypass built so Batemans Bay residents can access the hospital. We need Milton-Ulladulla built, we need Nowra built, we need all those gaps filled in.

“Because if we don't, we're going to see a lot of lives lost over the next few years. And I don't want to see that for locals. I don't see that for any family. I don't want to see it for our visitors.”

Constance said he looked back fondly on his political career, seeing the “best of the community”.

“Whilst obviously the result is a challenging one to find within myself, I'm pleased that from a Liberal perspective, it's still a marginal seat. And ultimately, I want to now move on to the next stage of my life.”

“There's no point in life being angry. I couldn't be bothered with the emotions associated with that.”

Part of Constance’s new-found perspective on life comes from a health scare late last year.

He kept it private but he suffered a major heart attack and needed to undergo emergency bypass surgery.

Andrew Constance with Peter Dutton in Nowra during the election campaign.

“I'd say to all people out there, particularly around the 50-year age bracket, go get your heart checked,” he said.

“That's my message for today. I had an old schoolmate pass away two weeks ago, heart attack in his early 50s. We've seen too many lives lost to this silent killer across our community.

“I was lucky I was able to get the bypass done and I've now got another 30 to 40 years of healthy life.

“Be conscious of what you're eating, your lifestyle, stress. Make sure you know your genetics because we're just seeing too many people, unfortunately, and in a preventable way, losing their lives.

“I'm philosophical about life. I love it. And everyone should too. I'm not going to get upset about an election result - life’s too important.”