Kiama MP Gareth Ward ordered to court as vote count continues in key seat

A judge has called for the Member for Kiama to front up to court ahead of a trial about historical sexual assault allegations. The order comes as the south coast seat remains up for grabs.

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward campaigning at Mount Terry Public School on election day. Picture: Jane Dempster

Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been ordered to show up to court as vote counting continues in the tight seat he has held since 2011.

In March, last year, Mr Ward was charged with sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count of common assault.

The allegations led to Mr Ward being booted from the Liberal party room and moved to the crossbench, before being suspended from parliament when charges were laid.

Mr Ward has been on bail since the charges and has strenuously denied the allegations.

Mr Ward is narrowly behind Labor opponent Katelin McInerney with a little more than half the votes counted, and on Saturday night told supporters the allegations levelled against him were “politically motivated”.

Police allege the incidents happened in 2013 and 2015.

The alleged 2013 incident involved a man who was aged 25 at the time, and the alleged 2015 incident involved a man who was then aged 17.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward addressing his supporters at Bomaderry Bowling Club on election night. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The matter is listed in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court in April, however, it was also mentioned in Nowra District Court on Monday where Judge Christopher O’Brien asked where the former Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister was despite not being required to attend if legally represented, as he was by Robert Foster.

“I am here so why can’t we progress the matter,” Judge O’Brien said.

“Why hasn’t he been arraigned? Arraignment is what gives the court its jurisdiction.

“We will stand it over until tomorrow and we’ll get him in for arraignment.”

The court also heard no trial date had been set, though the Crown has applied to have the impending trial occur in Sydney.

Mr Foster said he agreed to the application and submitted the defence intended to apply for the charges the be “severed” and run separate trials for the two complainants.