Gareth Ward, an Australian politician and current member of the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, is fighting to retain his seat despite being convicted of rape and indecent assault. The 44-year-old was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015.
Ward is currently in custody awaiting sentencing but has refused to resign from his position as the independent MP for Kiama. The NSW parliament had planned to expel him this week, but his legal team is now seeking a Supreme Court injunction to block the move while they prepare an appeal.
NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned the situation, calling it “unconscionable” for a convicted offender in jail to remain a sitting MP and continue receiving public funds. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman also demanded Ward’s resignation, calling his refusal to step down “offensive.”
Ward, who resigned from the Liberal Party in 2021 when the allegations surfaced, was re-elected in 2023. If expelled, a by-election will be held in his constituency of Kiama within weeks. He is due to be sentenced next month.
