NSW Government: How factions fuelled controversial MP Gareth Ward’s rise to Berejiklian Cabinet

Gareth Ward has enjoyed both the Premier’s support and the dominance of the Liberals’ moderate faction in her government.

How did Gareth Ward climb to the rank of Families Minister with a seat at Gladys Berejiklian’s cabinet table and become guardian of 17,000 of the most vulnerable kids?

It is a question colleagues have asked and the answer can be traced back to the Premier’s moderate faction alliances and the make-up of her inner circles of trust.

Mr Ward enjoyed the continued support of Ms Berejiklian as a key factional acolyte who benefited from the dominance of the Premier’s own moderate faction.

Gareth Ward in his role as Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister. Picture: Richard Noone

There is now growing agitation from some in government for a wider reshuffle after a police investigation by the sex crimes squad forced Mr Ward to stand aside as Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister.

The allegations against Mr Ward — which he denies — have prompted other MPs to ask why he was not shifted sooner and was even promoted after he hit front pages when he said he was duped by a massage scam in New York.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Scone Cup Day supporting Upper Hunter by-election candidate Dave Layzell. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

Senior ministers remain regretful and even baffled that Ms Berejiklian did not quietly shuffle Mr Ward out of his position when he was found naked and disoriented in Potts Points last year. It was an episode Mr Ward blamed on the after effects of a medical procedure.

They say the Premier felt the story did not cause much damage because the public interest was so firmly fixated on the pandemic.

Until he moved to the crossbench on Thursday, Mr Ward was a key member of the party’s moderates, seen by one colleague as a “spear carrier” for the faction.

Leader of the Liberals’ moderates Matt Kean. Picture: John Feder

Among the faction is a small praetorian guard protecting Ms Berejiklian. The inner circle includes faction leader Matt Kean, close friend Victor Dominello, and government Upper House leader Don Harwin.

The faction — mostly social progressives — has historic links to Michael Photios.

Mr Photios’s direct influence on the parliament has become more discreet in recent years, with Ms Berejiklian able to pick her own cabinet without influence.

However, Mr Photios is still known to have influential relationships with senior moderate ministers and MPs, and his opinion remains influential in preselections.

Mr Kean rejects claims that Mr Photios continues to pull the strings as a power-broker-turned-lobbyist.

Mr Kean is the Premier’s chief lieutenant and numbers man, while Ms Berejiklian is personally close to Mr Dominello. Mr Harwin holds strong influence in the party, but colleagues believe it is somewhat waning.

The Premier’s factional troops include Oatley MP Mark Coure — her representative on Liberal State Executive — and Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock.

Andrew Constance is one of the factional allies close to the Premier. Over the past year he has resumed his attendance at moderate faction dinners during sitting weeks.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Brad Hazzard plays the role of “elder statesman”.

Mr Ward standing aside as minister and moving to the crossbench has strengthened the belief among Liberal MPs that a reshuffle is needed to “refresh” the government.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman has taken over the Families, Communities and Disability Services portfolio, while Geoff Lee officially adopted Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans when John Sidoti moved to the crossbench earlier this year. A minor reshuffle could see the former portfolios of Mr Sidoti and Mr Ward allocated permanently to others.