Convicted rapist Gareth Ward weighing defamation options, court told
But a NSW judge specialising in defamation law has raised questions about whether Ward would be able to prove the broadcast caused serious harm to his reputation.
Ward filed NSW District Court defamation proceedings last year against Radio 2SM over comments made by broadcaster John Laws ahead of Ward's criminal trial. The defamation case was moved temporarily to the court's 'inactive list' pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The Liberal-turned-independent MP was found guilty on Friday by a District Court jury of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013, and sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old political staffer in 2015.
Ward is in custody awaiting sentence after his bail was revoked on Wednesday.
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The defamation matter returned to the District Court for a procedural hearing on Thursday morning.
Ward's lawyer told the Judge Judith Gibson, a leading defamation jurist, that a sentencing hearing in the criminal proceedings was slated for September 19, and 'my client would like some time to consider his appeal options, and would seek a short indulgence … to have the [defamation] matter stood over until after the 19th of September'.
But Gibson questioned whether such a delay was warranted, and noted the sentencing process was likely to be protracted.
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12 hours ago
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It comes as a NSW parliamentary inquiry on Thursday was told childcare centres were not checking whether staff were allowed to work with children before they were hired. The inquiry was also told banned worker were able to work in the industry for years without oversight. Liberal senator Jane Hume said a national scheme should have been implemented with "more urgency" when the coalition were last in government. "This is the right approach, to get a nationally uniform approach to working with children checks," she told Seven's Sunrise program. Laws passed by the federal parliament in July will strip funding from childcare centres not meeting compliance. Education ministers will also meet next week to consider further child safety laws for childcare centres. Among the measures being considered are use of CCTV in centres, as well as mandatory child safety training. 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"The reports that we've seen recently have shocked parents and every parent's worst nightmare. That's why we are taking action at the national level." Recommendations for a national working with children check scheme were made in the findings of the 2017 royal commission into child sexual abuse. Ms Rowland conceded the reform had not happened quickly enough. "All representatives of states and territories are united in the goal of making this system better and making it safer for children, which should be our top priority," she told ABC Radio. "I acknowledged this has taken too long, but I wish to reassure Australians that ... this is top of the agenda. "What this will mean is that someone who is banned in one state or territory is banned in all states and territories." Ms Rowland said a lack of a national scheme for working with children checks put young people at risk. The attorney-general said she was hopeful a national scheme would be in place within 12 months. It comes as a NSW parliamentary inquiry on Thursday was told childcare centres were not checking whether staff were allowed to work with children before they were hired. The inquiry was also told banned worker were able to work in the industry for years without oversight. Liberal senator Jane Hume said a national scheme should have been implemented with "more urgency" when the coalition were last in government. "This is the right approach, to get a nationally uniform approach to working with children checks," she told Seven's Sunrise program. Laws passed by the federal parliament in July will strip funding from childcare centres not meeting compliance. Education ministers will also meet next week to consider further child safety laws for childcare centres. Among the measures being considered are use of CCTV in centres, as well as mandatory child safety training.
