Gareth Ward denies historic sexual abuse as trial begins

Kiama MP Gareth Ward, facing trial from Monday for alleged sex offences, has denied all wrongdoing after fronting court.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward arrives at Downing Centre Court to face charges of historic sexual abuses involving a 27-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

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The criminal trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward has begun, as the state independent seeks to disprove claims of historic sexual abuse lodged against him after four years spent maintaining his innocence.

Mr Ward arrived at the Downing Centre District Court on Monday, with a jury to be empanelled on Tuesday or Wednesday.

He is facing a three week trial from Monday on five charges: three counts of assault with act of indecency, with an alternative charge of common assault against a 17-year-old boy in Meroo Meadow, Shoalhaven in February 2013, and sexual intercourse without consent against a 27-year-old man in Potts Point, Sydney in September 2015.

The charges were read aloud to Mr Ward and he responded “not guilty” to each of them.

Mr Ward said there was “a lot (he) would like to say” about his case when speaking outside court.

“Obviously, there’s a lot I would like to say, and there’ll be an appropriate time for that,” he said.

“But out of absolute respect for the court process, I can’t comment at this point, and I have nothing further to say at this time.”

Mr Ward revealed in May 2021 he was accused of sex offences, resigning from former Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s Liberal Party and his role of Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister.

He was charged in March 2022. The alleged offences overlap with his time as the Kiama MP, a role he has held since 2011.

The District Court was told in March that incumbent NSW Liberal Party director Chris Stone could be called to give evidence. His dual tenures in the role both came after the alleged offences were said to have taken place, though he has been involved with the party since 2008.

Mr Ward contested his seat in 2023 as an independent and won, though at the cost of his 12 per cent safe margin on the electorate, winning by less than 700 votes.

“I acknowledge my current circumstances which have been well publicised,” Mr Ward said in a February 2023 statement titled “Bring it On”.

“I passionately believe in fairness and due process. Whilst some commentators believe the presumption of innocence is an optional extra, it isn’t.

“It’s a human right and fundamental to our system of justice.

“Some in the media have shifted the balance too far. I’m determined to correct this imbalance and I know my experience will eventually serve as a reminder of why a person is innocent until proven otherwise.”

Mr Ward was the second Coalition MP to be accused of historic sexual assault during the later months of Ms Berejiklian’s incumbency.

His trial was first scheduled for April last year. In March 2023 he pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Disendorsed federal Liberal candidate Ben Britton watched the trial from the stands. Mr Britton nominated himself for the Kiama candidacy in 2023 after Mr Ward moved to the crossbench, but was not selected.