Disgraced MP Gareth Ward set to be kicked out of parliament next week

Disgraced independent MP Gareth Ward could be kicked out of parliament as early as next week, as the Minns government prepares to move a motion on Tuesday to expel the Kiama MP.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who was found guilty of rape and sexual abuse by a 12-person jury on Friday. Picture: Richard Dobson

Disgraced independent MP Gareth Ward could be kicked out of parliament as early as next week, as the Minns government prepares to move a motion on Tuesday to expel the Kiama MP, triggering a by-election for his south coast seat of Kiama.

Ward was found guilty of rape and sexual abuse by a 12-person jury on Friday, triggering bipartisan calls for him to resign.

It is understood the Minns government will move a motion when parliament resumes next Tuesday to expel Ward from the parliament.

The motion is likely to be successful after NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman said on Monday he would support it.

A successful motion would take immediate effect and would only need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses.

Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted, despite now being found guilty. A sentence has yet to be handed down.

Pictured leaving his apartment in Potts Point is Kiama MP Gareth Ward. Picture: Richard Dobson

On Friday Ward was found guilty of three counts of assault against an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013 and one count of intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015.

Premier Chris Minns on Monday said he had received legal advice that allowed for the Legislative Assembly to expel Ward from the parliament.

“It is completely ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of very serious sexual assault and stay as a member of parliament,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said he had received legal advice that allowed for the Legislative Assembly to expel Ward from the parliament. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“It may be the one workplace in the whole world where that person can continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time.

“The NSW Legislative Assembly does need to be in a position where it protects its integrity and one of the positions it can take to protect its integrity is to say that if you’ve been convicted of these serious charges it is not reasonable that the member stay as a member of parliament.”

Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales, Mark Speakman will support the expulsion motion. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr Speakman agreed to support any motion made by the government to expel Ward, calling his behaviour “reprehensible” and “sickening”.

“Gareth Ward should not be in parliament,” he said.

“His position is untenable. He cannot represent the constituents of Kiama. He obviously can’t represent them if he’s incarcerated.

“Subject to the government indicating its legal advice that the power is there we would support that motion.”

A successful expulsion motion would likely see a by-election for the seat of Kiama, with both parties leaving the door open for a major battle.

Mr Minns said Labor had yet to decide whether it would run a candidate, despite Mr Ward narrowly winning by 689 votes against Labor in 2023.

“I don’t know … we’d have to think about it,” the Premier said of running a candidate.

Mr Speakman said conversations were already underway within the Liberal Party as to who should contest the seat, but that he has not been involved in those conversations.

Ward – who maintained his innocence throughout the trial – has yet to lodge an appeal. He was contacted for comment.