Kiama MP Gareth Ward's trial hears man declined sexual advances before alleged rape

Australia Broadcast Center

28-05-2025

One of the alleged victims of NSW MP Gareth Ward has told his sexual assault trial he repeatedly declined sexual advances from the politician.
Mr Ward, a former NSW cabinet minister, is accused of raping a then-24-year-old man in his Sydney apartment and indecently assaulting a then-18-year-old man at his home on the NSW south coast.
WARNING: This story contains content that readers may find distressing.
The 43-year-old Member for Kiama has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault against the older man in 2015, and three counts of indecent assault against the younger man in 2012.
The older alleged victim gave evidence in the NSW District Court today, recalling a day in September 2015 when he was invited to an event at the NSW parliament.
State MPs and staff were entertaining guests, and alcohol was being served.
The court heard the man consumed three to four glasses of white wine.
"I wasn't much of a drinker and I don't recall having lunch that day," he told the court.
After a couple of hours and after feeling a bit down earlier in the day, he decided to get some fresh air out on a balcony.
While he was on the balcony, he said Mr Ward joined him.
The court heard after a conversation, they went back to the politician's office for a glass of wine.
After mentioning he had to leave as he had a fair way to travel home, the court heard the complainant was invited to stay the night at Mr Ward's nearby apartment.
The court heard at the apartment, they had another drink and went out on the balcony where the accused attempted to kiss him.
"He shuffled in closer to me and he attempted to kiss me and I said, 'No' and put my hand in between us," the complainant told the court.
The court heard a minute or two later, Mr Ward sought to kiss the man again, and this time he went along with it.
The complainant said after a time he pulled his head away and said he had a big day tomorrow.
The court heard the complainant was taken to the first bedroom down the hallway, which looked like a spare room, and got into the bed wearing boxer shorts and a T-shirt.
He assumed he had the room to himself, but the court heard after about 15 minutes, the accused came in and got into the bed with him.
"He put his arm around me to cuddle me," the complainant said.
The court heard the accused then slid his arm over the man, and put his hand down his boxer shorts at the back, felt around, then slid his finger into his anus.
The complainant told the court he said, 'No' and tried to move away, and that he felt "uncomfortable" and "a jolt of pain".
He said the accused was kissing him on the back of the neck and masturbating at the same time.
The complainant told the court that afterwards, he was thinking he should have pushed the accused off earlier, and it took time for him to understand what had happened
"At no stage did I say yes or that I was pleased with what was going on," he told the court.
On the walk back to the parliament the next day, the complainant said the accused told him he would be taken care of if he stuck by him.
He said they discussed how the events of the night before had made him feel uncomfortable
"I just moved on — I got what I thought was an apology," he told the court.
Gareth Ward was appointed parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast in 2017, then rose to the position of minister for families, communities and disability services in 2019 under Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
After he was charged in 2022, he was expelled from the NSW Legislative Chamber and resigned from the Liberal Party.
The following year, he successfully ran as an independent, retaining the seat of Kiama.
The case is expected to run for four weeks.