NSW election: Ex-UAP candidate Benjamin Britton files nomination papers to take on former Liberal Gareth Ward in Kiama

An army veteran and ex-UAP candidate may become the Liberal candidate tasked with winning the seat of Kiama, following the departure of newly-turned independent Gareth Ward.

The Liberals are hoping to secure the seat of Kiama after Gareth Ward’s parliamentary and party suspension.

An army veteran and ex-UAP candidate has emerged as the possible Liberal candidate tasked with winning the seat of Kiama after a protracted and lengthy nomination process, following the departure of newly-turned independent Gareth Ward.

Mr Ward held the seat as a Liberal deom 2011 before he was suspended from parliament, and from the party, in March 2022 after five historical sex charges were tabled against him.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and will return to court in March, although it is unclear if he will recontest the seat at the state election.

However, the Liberals – after Premier Dominic Perrottet pledged to win the seat – are moving closer to unveiling their own candidate.

Former UAP candidate for Cunningham Benjamin Britton has since swapped yellow for blue, becoming a Liberal member since his unsuccessful federal election run for Clive Palmer’s party, and filed the nomination papers required to become the party’s Kiama candidate.

Benjamin Britton has filed nomination papers to be the Liberal candidate in Kiama. Picture: Dylan Arvela

It is understood Mr Britton, a veteran who served for seven years, is the only member currently to have filed papers with the nomination window closing on Friday.

Mr Britton was contacted but did not respond to provide comment.

It is understood Shoalhaven councillor Serena Copley had been encouraged to nominate and is seen as a good local fit to take on Mr Ward, but did not respond to provide comment.

Mr Britton’s move to become a Liberal candidate comes after he ran for Cunningham in May’s federal election and placed fifth with just under 5000 votes. He made headlines when the Australian Defence Association, an independent watchdog monitoring defence matters, criticised the party and said it was “wrong” for picturing him in a military beret.

Mr Britton had previously run as a UAP federal candidate, where his corflutes were vandalised, in the seat of Cunningham. Picture: Supplied

Gareth Ward has pleaded not guilty to five sexual assault charges. Picture: Tim Hunter

The Liberals have been looking for a candidate since the allegations against Mr Ward saw him suspended from parliament and the party.

“The Liberal Party is going to win the seat of Kiama,” NSW Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet said in January. “That’s my expectation.”

Labor announced its Kiama candidate – former journalist Katelin McInerney – in 2022.

Long-serving MP Mr Ward is charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with an act of indecency and one of common assault.

The charges relate to the alleged indecent assault of a 17-year-old youth at Meroo Meadow near Bomaderry in February 2013 and the alleged sexual assault of a 27-year-old man in Sydney in September 2015.

Ward has asserted his innocence in public statements and the 41-year-old has entered not guilty pleas in the NSW District Court.

News tip? Email [e-mail]