Gareth Ward, the Member of Parliament for Kiama, has expressed his deep disappointment following his conviction for sexual abuse. In the days following the trial, he has prioritised spending time with loved ones and is now considering his next legal steps, confirming that he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal as soon as possible. He also conveyed gratitude for the support received from the community during this challenging period.
Ward was found guilty last week by the NSW District Court on multiple charges, including sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The case involved incidents dating back to 2013 when he invited an intoxicated 18-year-old man to his home, where the man alleged that Ward had plied him with alcohol before assaulting him against his will.
In another incident from 2015, Ward was accused of sexually assaulting a political staffer after a parliamentary event. Despite the staffer’s insistence that he did not consent, Ward reportedly climbed into bed beside him and assaulted him.
Following the verdict, Judge Kara Shead denied Ward’s barrister’s request for him to remain on bail, ordering him to be incarcerated pending sentencing. The judge cited concerns about the appropriateness of his bail status despite Ward’s disability and public profile, stating that he could be managed adequately within the correctional system. Ward’s sentencing is scheduled for September 19, where he will appear remotely from jail.
Ward has represented the Kiama district since 2011, initially as a member of the Liberal Party, and most recently as an independent following the 2023 election.
For those seeking support or assistance regarding sexual abuse, resources such as 1800 RESPECT and the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service are available, along with emergency services through Triple Zero (000).