Australian politician convicted of rape fights from jail cell to remain MP
By DL News
Published
1 min read
Ward, 44, was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting two young men—aged 18 and 24—at his home between 2013 and 2015. He is currently in custody awaiting sentencing but has vowed to appeal the conviction.
Convicted Australian politician Gareth Ward is refusing to give up his seat in the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, despite being convicted of rape and indecent assault.
Ward, 44, was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting two young men—aged 18 and 24—at his home between 2013 and 2015. He is currently in custody awaiting sentencing, but has vowed to appeal the conviction.
The NSW House of Representatives had been poised to expel the Independent MP for Kiama this week after his refusal to step down voluntarily. However, Ward’s legal team plans to seek an injunction in the Supreme Court on Friday to block any attempt to remove him from office.
Premier Chris Minns slammed Ward’s refusal to resign, calling it “unconscionable” and “shameful” in a radio interview on Tuesday. “It’s outrageous to have someone convicted of serious sexual crimes sitting in jail and still drawing a taxpayer-funded salary,” he said.
Ward previously resigned from the Liberal Party and as a minister in 2021 when the allegations surfaced but clung to his parliamentary seat—and was even re-elected in 2023.
While the state government had earlier considered expelling him, they held back to avoid influencing the court proceedings. Now that the trial is over, pressure is mounting for his removal as he awaits sentencing next month.
