Gareth Ward, a 44-year-old Australian politician and independent member of the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, is engaged in a legal battle to hold onto his parliamentary seat despite being convicted of rape and indecent assault. Found guilty in July 2025 of sexually assaulting two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015, Ward is currently in custody at Silverwater jail awaiting sentencing on 19 September 2025. The convictions include one count of sexual intercourse without consent, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years, and three counts of indecent assault, each with a maximum of five years.
The NSW Parliament, led by Premier Chris Minns, planned to expel Ward from his position as the member for Kiama when the Legislative Assembly reconvened. However, Ward’s legal team secured a temporary injunction on Monday to halt the expulsion, prompting an urgent Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Thursday to address the matter. Minns, representing the Labor government, called Ward’s refusal to resign “shameless” and described the situation as “unconscionable,” highlighting the burden on taxpayers who continue to fund Ward’s salary, which exceeds AUD 170,000 annually. Opposition leader Mark Speakman, from Ward’s former Liberal Party, echoed these sentiments, stating that Ward’s insistence on remaining in parliament is “offensive” to the people of Kiama, who are left without effective representation.
Ward, who has represented Kiama since 2011, resigned from the Liberal Party and his role as Minister for Families, Communities, and Disability Services in 2021 after the allegations surfaced. Despite being charged in 2022 and suspended from parliament until March 2023, he was re-elected as an independent in the 2023 state election, albeit with a reduced majority. Ward has consistently denied the allegations and intends to appeal his convictions, arguing he should remain in parliament until the appeal process concludes. Constitutional expert Anne Twomey notes that under NSW law, Ward’s seat would only be automatically vacated if his convictions are upheld after all appeals, a process that could take years.Alternatively, parliament can expel him to protect its integrity, a rare measure last used in 1917.
The case has sparked significant controversy, with both major parties supporting Ward’s removal to restore public confidence in the parliament. The assaults, which occurred at Ward’s home and involved victims he met through political circles, have drawn widespread condemnation. One victim, prompted to report the abuse in 2020 after learning of Ward’s ministerial appointment, likened it to “a vampire running a blood bank.” If expelled, a by-election in Kiama would be triggered within 60 days, though Ward’s legal challenges could delay this process.
Ward’s refusal to resign has raised broader questions about the NSW parliament’s ability to enforce standards of conduct, with critics arguing that its mechanisms for dealing with such cases are outdated. As the Supreme Court hearing looms, the case continues to test the limits of parliamentary authority and public trust in Australia’s political institutions.
Support services for those affected by sexual abuse are available in Australia, the UK, and the US through national helplines.
