NSW election 2023: Huge upset as Gareth Ward retains Kiama seat

Ex-Liberal MP Gareth Ward has been voted back into his Kiama seat, despite a looming criminal trial where he will fight allegations of sexual assault.

NSW independent candidate Gareth Ward has retained the seat of Kiama after he was ousted from the Liberal party over historic sexual assault charges.

After a tight fight between Labor candidate Katelin McInerney, Mr Ward edged ahead after pre-poll and postal votes were added to the final count.

ABC analyst Antony Green has said at this point in the count, the independent candidate “cannot be passed” in votes.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Ward said he was looking forward to “continuing to work hard and get results” as the MP for Kiama, while Ms McInerney conceded Labor would “not get across the line”.

Mr Ward was exiled from the Liberal party and suspended from parliament in 2021 after he was charged over two alleged incidents of sexual assault.

He also lost his portfolio for families, communities and disability service.

However, he made another play for the seat as an Independent, prising a much-needed seat from the Liberals.

NSW independent candidate Gareth Ward has retained the seat of Kiama. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Flavio Brancaleone

“I want to thank the people of our community for putting their faith and trust in me for the fourth time,” Mr Ward wrote in his statement.

“This election victory may have seemed impossible to some. I received no preferences from any party, and I was deeply disappointed with the smear campaign by Unions NSW. I dare say many decent union members would be disgusted if they knew how their union fees were being spent.”

The 42-year-old appeared in Nowra District Court on Tuesday, and pleaded “not guilty” to five charges of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count of common assault.

Police will allege Mr Ward was involved in a 2013 incident involving a then-25-year-old man in the Shoalhaven area of NSW, and an alleged 2015 incident in Potts Point Sydney, involving a then-17-year-old.

Gareth Ward arrived at Nowra District Court on Tuesday. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Monique Harmer

However, Mr Ward’s future prospects remain uncertain.

On Tuesday, Mr Minns confirmed he would make a “decision and an announcement when the poll has been declared”.

“I’m conscious of the fact there’s a criminal trial that began today. I’m not going to make a comment about it specifically,” Mr Minns told reporters.

Dominic Perrottet previously swore to win the south coast seat for the Coalition, however out-of-area Liberal candidate Melanie Gibbons wasn’t announced until the day before nominations were finalised.

Mr Ward paid tribute to Ms McInerney in his statement as “incredibly decent, dedicated and hard working”.

“She deserves every accolade for her efforts in this contest and she can be proud of the results she achieved on election day,” he wrote.

Ms McInerney did not mention Mr Ward in her statement.

“While the result is disappointing, I am incredibly proud of the positive and disciplined campaign we have run to give both Kiama and NSW a fresh start,” she wrote.

“I put my hand up to run for the seat of Kiama to make sure that my son William and kids just like him could grow up in the best future possible.

“While we will not get across the line in Kiama, I am glad that the people of NSW voted for a Fresh Start and I look forward to a new Labor government delivering for our community.”

Additional reporting by Lauren Ferri

Originally published as NSW election 2023: Huge upset as Gareth Ward retains Kiama seat