Gareth Ward has resigned from NSW Parliament following his conviction for sex crimes against two men in 2013 and 2015. Photo: Facebook.
Rapist Gareth Ward tendered his resignation from the seat of Kiama, one hour before the NSW Parliament had scheduled a motion to expel the former MP.
Ward was convicted by a jury of four counts of sexual assault committed against two men in 2013 and 2015.
The speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Greg Piper, told the parliament he received a letter from Ward resigning his seat at 9:08 am, ahead of parliament sitting at 10 am.
That resignation took effect immediately, with the seat of Kiama declared vacant.
Leader of the House Ron Hoenig said he was relieved to withdraw the motion to expel Ward, but his resignation should have been tendered immediately after the guilty verdict was handed down.
“Not in 107 years has this house been required to expel a member,” he said.
“The fact we were about to make such a determination is a pretty shameful exercise, because of the failure of the former member for Kiama to respect the verdict of the jury who convicted him.”
Mr Hoenig lambasted Ward’s attempts to block his expulsion through “vexatious litigation” in the Supreme Court.
He also said Ward “lacked respect” for the people of Kiama.
“He took them for a ride,” Mr Hoenig said.
“They entrusted him to properly represent them, knowing he was charged with serious offences.
“They trusted his assertion of innocence, gave him the assumption of innocence and were extraordinary in their trust in him to represent them with integrity and propriety.
“Whatever assertions he made to the people of Kiama were certainly dishonest.”
Although Mr Hoenig withdrew the expulsion motion, the speaker allowed the leader of the Liberal opposition, Mark Speakman, to address the withdrawn motion.
Ward was formerly a member of the Liberal Party, which expelled him when charges were first brought against him in 2022.
Mr Speakman said Ward’s ongoing attempts to retain his seat showed contempt for his victims.
“At five minutes to midnight the [former] member for Kiama has done what he should have done at the outset and resigned,” he said.
“The opposition was prepared to support the motion to expel, not on the basis of punishment, but to protect the integrity and reputation of this house.
“Clearly when a jury finds someone guilty beyond reasonable doubt of very serious offences the honourable thing to do is resign forthwith.
“He can exercise his appeal rights, he can maintain his innocence, but his constituents should have come first.
“The past week Ward has played disgraceful cat and mouse games with his constituents, the speaker, the NSW Government and the opposition.
“The hearts of every member of this chamber go out to the victim-survivors who were traumatised by his crimes and continue to be re-traumatised by the games of the past fortnight.
“The shamelessness that has occurred is beyond comprehension.”
The speaker said a byelection for Kiama would be set at a later date.
Judge Kara Shead is set to sentence Ward for three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent on Friday 19 September.
Ward is detained in custody until his sentence is handed down.
Original Article published by Zoe Cartwright on Region Illawarra.
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