In a significant turn of events, Gareth Ward, an Australian politician recently convicted of rape, has resigned from his position in parliament just hours before a planned expulsion vote.
Gareth Ward Resigns from Parliament After Legal Challenge Fails
Gareth Ward Resigns from Parliament After Legal Challenge Fails
Convicted rapist Gareth Ward steps down from parliament, paving the way for a by-election in his constituency.
In a dramatic conclusion to a scandal that has rocked the New South Wales (NSW) political landscape, Gareth Ward officially stepped down as the independent member representing Kiama. After being found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men between 2013 and 2015, Ward's legal attempts to remain in parliament were thwarted on Thursday when a court dismissed his challenge against parliamentary expulsion.
The court ruled against Ward's assertion that his removal would undermine democratic principles, leading to his immediate resignational decision. His resignation came at 09:08 local time, just two hours prior to a scheduled vote for his expulsion, thus averting an embarrassing parliamentary removal procedure.
This resignation, which comes after allegations had surfaced years prior, means that Ward will no longer be able to draw a parliamentary salary and has triggered a by-election for his south-coast NSW electorate, a seat he has held since 2011. Previously, Ward had resigned as a state government minister and distanced himself from the Liberal Party in 2021, yet managed to remain in parliament after re-election in 2023.
During the legal proceedings, Ward’s counsel argued that his removal from parliament before an appeal could take place was a serious infringement on democratic rights. However, NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the public sentiment by insisting that individuals convicted of severe charges, such as sexual assault, should no longer represent their communities from prison. Opposition leader Mark Speakman characterized Ward’s legal attempts as "disgraceful," accusing him of undermining the integrity of parliamentary democracy.
With sentencing set for next month, Ward has indicated his plans to appeal the conviction, hinting at further legal battles ahead.
The court ruled against Ward's assertion that his removal would undermine democratic principles, leading to his immediate resignational decision. His resignation came at 09:08 local time, just two hours prior to a scheduled vote for his expulsion, thus averting an embarrassing parliamentary removal procedure.
This resignation, which comes after allegations had surfaced years prior, means that Ward will no longer be able to draw a parliamentary salary and has triggered a by-election for his south-coast NSW electorate, a seat he has held since 2011. Previously, Ward had resigned as a state government minister and distanced himself from the Liberal Party in 2021, yet managed to remain in parliament after re-election in 2023.
During the legal proceedings, Ward’s counsel argued that his removal from parliament before an appeal could take place was a serious infringement on democratic rights. However, NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the public sentiment by insisting that individuals convicted of severe charges, such as sexual assault, should no longer represent their communities from prison. Opposition leader Mark Speakman characterized Ward’s legal attempts as "disgraceful," accusing him of undermining the integrity of parliamentary democracy.
With sentencing set for next month, Ward has indicated his plans to appeal the conviction, hinting at further legal battles ahead.
