Voters in the Kiama electorate along New South Wales’ south coast will cast their ballots on Saturday, September 13, to choose a successor for Gareth Ward, who recently resigned from the NSW Parliament while incarcerated. This resignation followed Ward’s conviction in July for four sexual offences involving incidents with two young men in 2013 and 2015.
Greg Piper, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, announced the by-election shortly after Ward’s resignation. He confirmed that nominations for Ward’s replacement will open on August 22, with early voting beginning on September 6. If Ward wishes, he may still contest the by-election despite his conviction.
Ward’s resignation came just before members of the parliament were set to vote on a historic motion to expel him— marking the first such expulsion in 107 years. Premier Chris Minns expressed that Ward’s decision to resign was overdue, stating it should have occurred sooner, particularly after Ward lost a legal challenge against the expulsion.
Minns highlighted the challenges of being a convicted offender while serving in parliament, questioning how one could effectively represent their community from prison. He affirmed that the Labor Party will field a candidate for Kiama, acknowledging it would be a tough race.
Ward retains the option to appeal his July convictions, adding to the complex situation surrounding his political future.