Nats' claim after MP's shock exit
Ward resigned in a letter to Speaker Greg Piper on Friday morning, less than two hours before a motion to expel him was expected to go before the Legislative Assembly.
The motion came after a challenge by Ward's lawyers to the Court of Appeal on Thursday failed, with both Labor and the Coalition voicing support for Friday's motion.
As the dust finally settled over what could have been the first lower house expulsion in more than 100 years, questions of the now requisite by-election quickly emerged. Ex-Kiama MP Gareth Ward was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia
Nationals MLC Wes Fang was in Kiama as recently as last week, meeting with Kiama Business Network treasurer Greg Langford and spruiking the trip on social media.
'While Gareth Ward was distracted by his court proceedings and subsequent conviction and revocation on bail, I've made sure I've been in Kiama, providing a voice to the electorate and raising their issues in the NSW parliament,' Mr Fang told NewsWire hours after Ward's expulsion.
'It's the NSW Nationals who have been showing up and helping the people on the ground and if asked to do so, we'd love the opportunity to represent the electorate through a Nationals local member.'
In social media posts, Mr Fang shared images of the bright Nationals-green trailer he took with him to Kiama and spoke of discussions about the local business environment and cost of living. Nationals MLC Wes Fang said he had been in Kiama 'providing a voice to the electorate'. NewsWire /Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia
It comes amid reports a motion from independent MP Joe McGirr to repeal ex-Liberal deputy premier John Barilaro's controversial 'Brumby Bill' could drive a wedge between the Liberals and Nationals.
High-level discussions between Coalition partners, the NSW Liberals and Nationals, are expected to take place regarding Kiama.
Asked whether the Liberals intended to run a candidate for Kiama, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said it would be a decision for the party's management committee.
'Obviously, I will make a request and recommendation to the management committee which, in the ordinary course, I would be confident would be followed,' he said.
'But, that's a matter for those discussions, and then it's a matter to discuss … with the Nationals what will happen under our Coalition agreement.
'Where there is a seat vacated, we have that discussion first before either or both of us declares we're going to run.'
Asked if he believed it was important the Liberals run a candidate, Mr Speakman said 'discussions will be happening very quickly' within both parties.
Ward, who in July was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent, was first elected as member for Kiama in 2011 and served in former premier Gladys Berejiklian's cabinet from 2019-2021.
He was suspended from parliament in March 2022 after charges were laid before being re-elected a year later in a tight contest with Labor's Katelin McInerney.
Ward won that contest by 0.08 per cent on the two-party preferred vote. Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions were under way as to Labor's candidate for Kiama. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia
On Friday, Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions were under way as to Labor's candidate for Kiama, with the by-election date expected to be set next week.
Mr Minns would not confirm whether Ms McInerney would stand but admitted she was a likely frontrunner.
Nonetheless, Mr Minns admitted the contest in Kiama would be tough, with Ward having been re-elected after charges were laid.
'They're independent minded down there, they'll make their own decisions,' he said.
'We would be going in with our eyes wide open, and this would be a very, very tough contest for Labor.'
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