Convicted sex offender Gareth Ward faces expulsion from NSW parliament

Australia Broadcast Center

5 days ago

NSW MP Gareth Ward could become the first member of the Legislative Assembly expelled from the New South Wales parliament in more than 100 years when politicians return to Macquarie Street next week.
The Legislative Assembly is expected to consider a motion to expel Ward as its first order of business on Tuesday, following his conviction for sexually abusing two young men.
It would be the first time since 1917 that the parliament has used this power.
The vote is expected to pass comfortably, with both the government and opposition supporting Ward's removal.
On Monday, Premier Chris Minns said Ward's continued presence in parliament was "ridiculous" and threatened the integrity of the institution.
Mr Minns called on Ward to resign and said if he did not, the parliament would take steps to remove him.
On Thursday, Opposition leader Mark Speakman repeated his support for the expulsion motion.
"The fact that he is now incarcerated makes that call even stronger," Mr Speakman said.
Ward spent his first night in Silverwater jail after his bail was revoked in the District Court on Wednesday, where a date was set for his sentencing in September.
Once expelled, Ward will lose his salary and entitlements immediately.
The Speaker of the House will assume responsibility for the Kiama electorate until a by-election is held and a new member is sworn in.
If Ward is discharged from the parliament, it is the Speaker's responsibility to contact the electoral commission to organise a by-election in the seat.
If Ward appealed against his conviction and succeeded, he would remain removed from parliament and would have to recontest the seat of Kiama to return.
The last time a member was expelled from the Legislative Assembly was in 1917.
Richard Arthur Price was removed for conduct "unworthy of a member of parliament and seriously reflecting on the dignity of the House", after a royal commission found he had made baseless allegations against a minister.
Mr Price recontested and won the subsequent by-election just weeks later.
Expulsion remains one of the most serious sanctions parliament can impose on one of its own.
In the Legislative Council, the last expulsion occurred in 1969, when Alexander Armstrong MLC was found to have engaged in conduct that included procuring false evidence, entertaining the possibility of bribing a Supreme Court judge, and offering false testimony.
Mr Armstrong unsuccessfully challenged his expulsion in the Court of Appeal.
As the reality of Ward being jailed sinks in, there are mixed feelings on the streets of Kiama about the future.
Couple Sue and Glenn Lawrence said the former Liberal turned independent had been effective for the electorate, but that it was time for him to resign.
"I think it's the right thing to do, as much as he has done a lot for Kiama as a politician," Ms Lawrence said.
Russell Hawkins said Ward should have stepped down long ago.
"I think he shouldn't have contested the previous election," Mr Hawkins said.
"He's been found guilty. I think it's repugnant what he did, and I'm glad he's going to be out."
There was concern for the electorate of more than 80,000 people to be left without representation in parliament from next week.
"There will have to be a vote for a new person," Mr Lawrence said.
"You could get the Liberals coming back in again or Labor, I don't know, but we do need somebody here."
Other residents said they were in less of a rush and were eager to wait until any appeal was finalised.
"I'm puzzled," Rupert Jarvis said.
"Overall, in his capacity as an MP, I think he does an excellent job."
Another resident, Margaret Mitchell said: "He's done years and years of incredible service" for Kiama.
Ward's electorate office in Kiama was temporarily closed last week but has since reopened.
Staff told the ABC they were continuing to respond to enquiries and had received strong support from the community.
They also urged the public to treat all political staff with respect.
A day after he was sent to prison, Ward's defamation case against Sydney radio station 2SM was mentioned in the District Court.
The case was relisted on the court's active list following Ward's conviction for sexual assault offences, prompting consideration of how the guilty verdict may affect the defamation proceedings.
A certificate of conviction could be tendered as part of the broadcaster's early serious harm defence or in support of an application for summary dismissal.
The matter is due back in court on September 11.