Convicted rapist MP Gareth Ward ultimatum: Quit or be expelled from parliament

Premier Chris Minns says convicted rapist Gareth Ward cannot remain in parliament and if the Kiama MP does not resign, the parliament will need to expel him when it returns next week.

Speaking after Ward was found guilty on Friday of the sexual assault of two young men, Minns said his government had legal advice that the Legislative Assembly had the power to remove the independent MP from parliament, even with an appeal pending.

Gareth Ward leaves court after the guilty verdicts awaiting a detention application.Credit: Dylan Coker

“We are not dealing with hypotheticals any more – he has been convicted,” Minns said.

“It is completely ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament.”

Liberal Leader Mark Speakman said the opposition would support a government motion to expel Ward on the proviso there was legal advice stipulating that parliament had the power to do so.

“He cannot represent the constituents of Kiama,” Speakman said. “He obviously can’t represent them once he’s incarcerated, and even if he remains out of incarceration for the time being, there is no way he can effectively represent his constituents.

“So he must resign, and if he doesn’t resign, then parliament has to take all the steps it can to protect its integrity. And if the power is there to expel Mr Ward, he should be expelled.”

Given the bipartisan support, the house could expel Ward as soon as next Tuesday.

Ward’s expulsion from parliament would spark a byelection in the marginal South Coast seat, which the one-time minister for families and disability services narrowly retained at the 2023 election.

A senior Liberal powerbroker, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to party rules, said it would be an impossible task for the party to win the seat given Ward’s association with it.

The powerbroker said voters would not back a Liberal candidate after putting their trust in Ward, who was an independent but still active in the party despite no longer being a member.

Karen Iles, a leading solicitor and advocate for victim-survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, said Ward should resign from his seat immediately.

“Our society has expectations about those who are convicted of sexual assault – those expectations do not include retaining a seat in NSW parliament,” Iles, principal solicitor at Violet Co Legal & Consulting, said.

“Victims may feel completely disenfranchised to learn that he, despite being a convicted criminal, is still in charge of making laws in NSW.”

Iles said it was “fundamentally incompatible” to be convicted of a serious crime such as sexual assault and remain in a position of power.

“Members of our parliaments have a unique position in society – they should be people who exemplify high standards of integrity,” she said.

“You can’t be a criminal and make laws for the rest of us.”

Ward is on bail, reporting to police daily at Kings Cross or Nowra stations, until a detention application is made by prosecutors on Wednesday.

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