NSW MP Gareth Ward stands aside amid police probe into alleged sexual violence
Gladys Berejiklian has lost her second cabinet minister in three months as police probe families minister Gareth Ward.
Gladys Berejiklian has lost her second cabinet minister in three months after her families minister, Gareth Ward, moved to the crossbench over sexual assault allegations made against him.
Mr Ward’s move, little more than a week before a crucial by-election caused by the resignation of a Coalition MP accused of rape, pushes the NSW government deeper into minority and threatens its stability.
Mr Ward on Thursday afternoon confirmed that he was under investigation by the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad over “sexual violence related offences” dating back to 2013.
Mr Ward, who denies any wrongdoing, said he had learned of the allegations after inquiries from a journalist that day.
“I have not been contacted by police in relation to any allegations,” he said. “Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as minister. I will also remove myself from the Liberal partyroom.”
Mr Ward’s departure follows that of former sports minister John Sidoti, who moved to the crossbench in March as an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry was publicly launched into his family’s property affairs. He denies wrongdoing and that investigation remains ongoing.
The latest developments involving Mr Ward come at a sensitive time for the government, which faces a crucial by-election in the seat of Upper Hunter next Saturday, and the possibility of losing its majority in the lower house of parliament.
Upper Hunter was vacated in March by former Nationals MP Michael Johnsen after he, too, was forced onto the crossbench — and later out of politics — over allegations he raped a sex worker, and sent explicit messages while sitting in parliament. Mr Johnsen denies the rape allegations.
Police said the allegations against Mr Ward dated back to 2013 and involved a number of incidents — these are understood to extend up until 2015 and they are believed to have been raised with police in recent months.
As news of the investigation became public, the shockwave of the allegations rippled through the hallways of parliament.
A gathering of the government’s expenditure review committee was cancelled by Ms Berejiklian midway through discussions, with Police Minister David Elliott seen exiting the meeting in frustration and saying: “business has to go on”.
Others gathered outside the ministerial offices on level eight of the building, where at least one minister was seen exiting Mr Ward’s office in tears. Mr Ward issued a statement in co-ordination with one distributed by Ms Berejiklian’s office.
The Premier said she supported Mr Ward’s decision to step aside.
“I was made aware through media reports today that an MP is under investigation by police,” the Premier’s statement said.
“I have subsequently received advice from minister Gareth Ward of his decision to step aside as -minister and sit on the crossbench while there is speculation about his future.
“I support his decision.”
Attorney-General Mark Speakman will assume Mr Ward’s responsibilities.
Mr Ward, the minister families, community services and disability services, was elected to parliament in 2011 and successfully increased the margin in his seat of Kiama, on the NSW south coast, at the last state election in 2019.
Legally blind due to a genetic condition, he was promoted to the Coalition ministry that year and remains a prominent figure in the Liberal Party’s dominant moderate faction.
While regarded by colleagues as a shrewd and capable minister, one who has been invested in his portfolio, the MP has also courted controversy, most recently in March 2020 when he was found naked and disoriented by police officers outside his Sydney apartment.
Mr Ward later said he had been under a general anaesthetic for a medical procedure that day. No police action was taken.
The Berejiklian government has so far sailed through the COVID-19 pandemic on the popularity of its leader, but it remains vulnerable in parliament and reliant on the support of independent MPs to pass legislation.
As a coalition, the government holds 46 of 93 available seats in the lower house; a loss in the seat of Upper Hunter next Saturday would cement the Liberal-Nationals to a minority government.
It does not hold a majority of seats in the upper house.
Nationals officials are confident they will retain the seat, which is held on a 2.6 per cent margin, but preference flows from independent candidates, along with One Nation and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, could deliver a tight contest.
Some MPs said on Thursday that Mr Ward’s matter and its proximity to the ballot could also shape the outcome.
“It won’t help,” one said.
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