Gareth Ward complaint kept under wraps by Berejiklian’s office

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s office secretly dealt with a formal complaint concerning inappropriate conduct by then families minister Gareth Ward last year, but kept the matter quiet.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says under-investigation MP Gareth Ward had ‘done absolutely the right thing in stepping aside in the party room’. Picture: Damian Shaw

Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s office secretly dealt with a formal complaint concerning inappropriate conduct by then families minister Gareth Ward last year, but kept the matter quiet from parliamentary colleagues, allowing him to retain his position in cabinet without sanction.

The Australian has confirmed that the complaint was lodged with the premier and that the matter was dealt with “appropriately and in accordance with the ministerial handbook to the satisfaction of the complainant”.

Mr Ward, who resigned from his portfolio responsibilities on Thursday, declined to comment when contacted on Friday by The Australian.

The revelation is likely to increase pressure on Ms Berejiklian and anger party colleagues; last year the premier similarly stood by Mr Ward following an incident where he was found naked and disoriented by police in the Sydney suburb of Potts Point.

Mr Ward said the incident was the result of a general anaesthetic that he had been administered for a medical procedure that day.

During a press conference on Friday the premier stopped short of calling for Mr Ward to exit ­politics, as some colleagues have been doing, but said he had “done absolutely the right thing” by ­stepping aside from his role as families and community services minister.

In announcing his resignation Mr Ward also said he would move to the parliamentary crossbench, further reducing the Liberal-­Nationals’ numbers in the lower house of parliament and leaving it unable to pass legislation without the assistance of independent MPs.

“I feel under the circumstances, given there was speculation, even though he’s not been contacted by police, I think he’s done absolutely the right thing in stepping aside in the party room,” Ms Berejiklian said, describing the allegations as “extremely concerning and ­distressing”.

“None of us will tolerate behaviour which is regarded as completely unacceptable. I think the standards are pretty clear, and if you breach those standards you will be treated accordingly.”

The investigation, codenamed Strike Force Condello, was formed recently to examine several allegations involving Mr Ward between 2013 and 2015.

It is being led by the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad although the precise nature of the allegations remain unclear.

Gareth Ward. Picture: AAP

Mr Ward’s departure is expected to hurt the government’s prospects during next week’s by-election in the seat of Upper Hunter, the second time in recent months that an MP has moved to the cross bench — or exited politics — due to a police investigation involving sexual assault ­allegations.

The Upper Hunter by-election is itself a product of a similar scandal; its former Nationals MP, Michael Johnsen, quit politics in part over allegations that he sexually assaulted a sex worker.

He took leave after the allegations emerged but was forced to resign a week later when explicit text messages that he had sent while sitting in parliament were made public.

Mr Ward issued a statement on Thursday afternoon denying any wrongdoing in the police matter and said he had not been spoken to by detectives. He said he learned of the allegations being levelled against him via a journalist.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman has agreed to take on the responsibility of his former portfolios, although some Liberal and National MPs said the premier should orchestrate a reshuffle of her cabinet given recent ­vacancies.