
Gareth Ward: Convicted rapist fighting to remain in parliament in Australia
"He's got no shame," NSW Premier Chris Minns told local radio station 2GB on Tuesday.He repeated calls for Ward to resign from state parliament, saying it's the "first and most obvious choice"."It's an unconscionable situation to have someone who's currently sitting in jail in Silverwater, convicted of serious sexual offences, who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid," Minns said.
Ward resigned as a state government minister and from the Liberal Party when the accusations emerged in 2021, but refused to leave parliament and was re-elected as the member for Kiama in 2023.The NSW government had previously considered voting to expel Ward - who has been a state MP since 2011 - but legal advice indicated it could risk prejudicing his trial.Ward is due to be sentenced next month, for three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Sarwar: Dewar would be disappointed at devolution progress
The Labour politician served as first minister from 1999 until his death in 2000, however he is often credited as being the architect of devolution. While Secretary of State for Scotland in Tony Blair's government, Mr Dewar began the devolution process. It resulted in Scotland's first parliament in almost 300 years. Mr Sarwar praised Mr Dewar, adding he was politician who 'believed politics was bigger than himself and bigger than his own party'. He also had to persuade the country – and many within his own party – of the importance of devolution, the Scottish Labour leader said. Mr Sarwar said: 'Donald had to do something that I think others hadn't had to do which is he had to first of all win a referendum to get the Parliament. Read more: 'He then had to build credibility for an institution and he had to persuade people on devolution. He didn't have to persuade just his own country, he had to persuade people in his own political party, in his own political movement. I also think he was a person of immense stature, and also someone that believed politics was bigger than himself and bigger than his own political party. 'He was genuinely a politician that wanted to pull people together. To be honest, and perhaps we will look back on this and think it was a naïve view he had given everything that's happened in the last two decades in particular, but I think Donald genuinely believed that once you've got a parliament together with different people in different parties, we would do politics differently from how we did it in Westminster, and that we'd find common ground and that's what drives us, rather than finding differences.' The Herald's editor Catherine Salmond asked the Scottish Labour leader whether Mr Dewar would be 'disappointed' at the Scottish Parliament's progress since it was re-established in 1999. The Scottish Parliament celebrated its 25th year in September last year. Mr Sarwar said: 'I think he would still be a believer of devolution. I think he would still be a defender of the institution but I think he would feel as if progress and story of devolution in 25 years has not lived up to the opportunity and potential that the Scottish people demanded.' The Scottish Labour leader warned there was a 'real risk' that Scotland's debate would 'suit people who want to live their lives constantly in a constitutional arguments mode'. He added: 'I think it's safe to say that we have to change the drive for leadership, the back stories, and also the level of engagement and intent for ministers in the Scottish Government. 'I too often see ministers looking like they're there to fill a space rather than to drive outcomes. We've got to get back to being an outcome driven country. We've got to get back to being a can-do country, not a can't-do country. 'I honestly believe our people are there I just think – people often say does Scotland lack ambition? Scotland doesn't lack ambition or imagination, they don't lack talent. They lack a leadership that shares that amount of imagination and ambition. 'I want to start with a government that meets the aspirations of the people of Scotland.'


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Families of murder victims 'relieved' as Government backs parole ban for killers who hide bodies
Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser's families met with Justice Secretary Angela Constance to press for an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill. The families of Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser say they feel 'relieved' after the Scottish Government signalled support for changes to the parole system targeting killers who refuse to reveal where their victims are buried. Speaking in Glasgow on Wednesday following a meeting with Justice Secretary Angela Constance, the families issued a joint statement welcoming the move. They also urged the minister to push ahead with the reforms without delay. The meeting was requested by the families to discuss an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. The amendment would mean that when a convicted murderer r efuses to reveal the location of their victims remains, this 'must' be taken into account when considering parole. Under current legislation, the parole board rules dictate that this 'may' be taken into account. The changes have sometimes been referred to as 'Suzanne's Law' – named after Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered by her colleague David Gilroy in 2010. However, the Scottish Government has not used this term and says decisions on parole are for the independent parole board. Gail Fairgrieve, sister of Suzanne Pilley, and her mother Sylvia Pilley were joined by Carol Gillies – who is Arlene Fraser's sister – in Glasgow on Wednesday. Arlene Fraser vanished in 1998, with her husband Nat Fraser being convicted of her murder in 2012. The joint statement said: 'Today we met with Justice Secretary Angela Constance to seek assurances that this important amendment will go through in the Bill. 'We are relieved that she reaffirmed her support of the amendment and spoke of her commitment for the intent and substantive content of amendment 260 to remain unaltered. 'We'd like to thank her for meeting with us and discussing the impact that this change will have. 'We hope that this change in law will provide not only us, but with other families in our position, with a measure of comfort and confidence that they can get the justice that we all so badly deserve.' It continued: 'With the next stage due on return from summer recess, we urge ministers to ensure that this legislation is enacted as soon as possible – we have already been under unimaginable strain and pressure for so many years leading up to this moment.' The SNP minister said: 'I am grateful to the families of Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser for meeting with me today. 'They have suffered heartbreaking losses, compounded by not knowing the final resting place of their loved ones. My deepest sympathies remain with them. 'In March, I supported an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill that will mean the Parole Board, when making decisions about release, must take account of whether a prisoner has information about the disposal of a victim's remains, but has not disclosed it. 'At today's meeting, I reiterated my firm commitment to this change, which will become law if the Bill is passed in Parliament.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.


BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Man in court accused of raping man in Huddersfield town centre
A man has appeared in court charged with raping another man in Hussain, 27, of no fixed address, is accused of attacking the victim in the town centre in the early hours of Hussain appeared before Leeds Magistrate's Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of the hearing he was remanded in custody to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 3 September. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North