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9 News
30 minutes ago
- 9 News
NSW MP Gareth Ward's convictions aren't enough to expel him from parliament, lawyer argues
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament under "unworthy behaviour" provisions, his lawyer has argued. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing for sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a midweek event in the state's parliament in 2015. The former families minister was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man at his South Coast home in 2013. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing. (Dylan Coker) A Labor-led vote to expel Ward from parliament, slated for Wednesday, was delayed after the Supreme Court ordered a halt at the MP's request. His barrister told an urgent NSW Court of Appeal hearing today that a letter Ward received from the Labor government about the planned expulsion vote only referred to the convictions, and did not lay out a case for Ward's expulsion. The letter did not detail any "unworthy conduct" - the expulsion power Labor is relying on to turf Ward - Peter King told a panel of three judges. "Are you seriously submitting that the convictions of the counts ... are not conduct unworthy?" Chief Justice Andrew Bell asked. "The four counts are evidence of the fact of conviction but they're not evidence of the facts which underlie that conviction," King said. When the barrister tried again to make the same argument, Justice Jeremy Kirk chimed in. "There can't be any mystery about it, he was tried publicly on an indictment," the judge said. "He, of all people, must know what behaviour led to his conviction." Gareth Ward's lawyer argued four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament. (AAP) Justice Kirk also questioned whether the court could do anything or interfere in the government's processes, as there had been no orders made to appeal. The most serious charge against Ward, who is in custody, carries a maximum 14-year jail term. King also argued that the move to expel Ward was punitive, denying the MP his chance to remain in parliament or go for re-election, if he successfully appealed the convictions. If Ward's appeal fails, he will be automatically expelled under a separate power. The move also denied Ward procedural fairness by denying him the chance to get up and oppose the motion in parliament, King said. "In short, he is to be expelled by a kangaroo court," he said. Four MPs have been expelled from NSW parliament, the last in 1969 under the "unworthy conduct" power. Any expulsion of Ward will trigger a by-election in the NSW south coast electorate he has held since 2011. Initially running under the Liberal banner, he secured a 2023 poll win as an independent, despite having been charged with sexual assault and suspended from parliament. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". (Nine) A vote to expel him is almost certain to pass with support from leaders of Labor and the coalition. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". Opposition Leader Mark Speakman repeated calls for Ward to resign after the legal action prevented a parliamentary vote to expel him. Academic Tonia Gray, who contested Kiama for the Greens at the 2023 state election, told AAP Ward should vacate the seat after being found guilty. The ongoing distraction of his refusal to resign has been a disservice to the community, she said. "It's clearly not about the people of Kiama - it's all about Gareth," Gray said. "Kiama deserves an opportunity to hold a by-election and elect a new member to the NSW parliament that can give their absolute attention to the critical work of representing our community." Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) . New South Wales national Australia courts crime Politics parliament Chris Minns CONTACT US
Canberra Times
30 minutes ago
- Canberra Times
Convictions not enough to expel sex offender MP: lawyer
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Be the first to know when news breaks. As it happens Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports. As it happens Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Get the latest property and development news here. We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. As it happens Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. More from National "Kiama deserves an opportunity to hold a by-election and elect a new member to the NSW parliament that can give their absolute attention to the critical work of representing our community." "It's clearly not about the people of Kiama - it's all about Gareth," Dr Gray said. The ongoing distraction of his refusal to resign has been a disservice to the community, she said. Academic Tonia Gray - who contested Kiama for the Greens at the 2023 state election - told AAP Ward should vacate the seat after being found guilty. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman repeated calls for Ward to resign after the legal action prevented a parliamentary vote to expel him. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". A vote to expel him is almost certain to pass with support from leaders of Labor and the coalition. Initially running under the Liberal banner, he secured a 2023 poll win as an independent, despite having been charged with sexual assault and suspended from parliament. Any expulsion of Ward will trigger a by-election in the NSW south coast electorate he has held since 2011. Four MPs have been expelled from NSW parliament, the last in 1969 under the "unworthy conduct" power. "In short, he is to be expelled by a kangaroo court," he said. The move also denied Ward procedural fairness by denying him the chance to get up and oppose the motion in parliament, Mr King said. If Ward's appeal fails, he will be automatically expelled under a separate power. Mr King also argued that the move to expel Ward was punitive - denying the MP his chance to remain in parliament or go for re-election - if he successfully appealed the convictions. The most serious charge against Ward, who is in custody, carries a maximum 14-year jail term. Justice Kirk also questioned whether the court could do anything or interfere in the government's processes, as there had been no orders made to appeal. "He, of all people, must know what behaviour led to his conviction." "There can't be any mystery about it, he was tried publicly on an indictment," the judge said. When the barrister tried again to make the same argument, Justice Jeremy Kirk chimed in. "The four counts are evidence of the fact of conviction but they're not evidence of the facts which underlie that conviction," Mr King said. "Are you seriously submitting that the convictions of the counts ... are not conduct unworthy?" Chief Justice Andrew Bell asked. The letter did not detail any "unworthy conduct" - the expulsion power Labor is relying on to turf Ward - Peter King told a panel of three judges. His barrister told an urgent NSW Court of Appeal hearing on Thursday that a letter Ward received from the Labor government about the planned expulsion vote only referred to the convictions, and did not lay out a case for Ward's expulsion. Gareth Ward has been found guilty of sexually abusing two men during his time in office. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) A Labor-led vote to expel Ward from parliament, slated for Wednesday, was delayed after the Supreme Court ordered a halt at the MP's request. The former families minister was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man at his South Coast home in 2013. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing for sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a midweek event in the state's parliament in 2015. All other regional websites in your area The digital version of Today's Paper All articles from our website & app Login or signup to continue reading Subscribe now for unlimited access. Four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament under "unworthy behaviour" provisions, his lawyer has argued. Disgraced NSW MP Gareth Ward continues to resist calls to quit parliament. Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS By Miklos Bolza and Jack Gramenz By Miklos Bolza and Jack Gramenz Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List
7NEWS
30 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Tennis champion Elina Svitolina speaks out after receiving sickening death threats
WARNING: Disturbing content below. Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has spoken out about the deluge of hateful abuse she received online from frustrated gamblers after losing a match in Canada. The world No.13 received messages including wishing her death and celebrating Russia killing her compatriots. Following her straight-sets loss to Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open on Tuesday, Svitolina posted screenshots of the messages on Instagram. The abuse was directed at her, while other racial slurs also targeted her husband - French tennis player Gael Monfils who is Black. One abuser hoped Russia 'kills all you sh**** Ukrainians' in the war raging in Svitolina's country. Another said: 'I just hope you f****** die tonight,' before adding a comment which is too horrific to publish. The tennis star posted screenshots of several other obscene messages which have no place being published, before speaking out on her Instagram story. 'To all the bettors: I'm a mum before I'm an athlete,' Svitolina wrote. 'The way you talk to women — to mothers — is SHAMEFUL. If your mothers saw your messages, they'd be disgusted.' Earlier this year, British player Katie Boulter said she had received death threats during the French Open targeting her and her family, while the WTA and ITF called on betting companies to do more to stem the flood of online abuse players face on social media. Boulter, the girlfriend of Australian star Alex de Minaur, told the BBC in an interview online abuse has become the norm and she thinks many of the messages are sent by people who are placing bets on tennis matches. Her comments coincided with the WTA and ITF publishing a first season-wide report into online abuse, showing 458 tennis players were targeted by more than 8,000 abusive comments and posts on social media in 2024. The report said 40 per cent of the abuse came from 'angry gamblers'.
