Latest news with #expulsion
ABC News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Convicted sex offender Gareth Ward faces expulsion from NSW parliament
NSW MP Gareth Ward could become the first member of the Legislative Assembly expelled from the New South Wales parliament in more than 100 years when politicians return to Macquarie Street next week. The Legislative Assembly is expected to consider a motion to expel Ward as its first order of business on Tuesday, following his conviction for sexually abusing two young men. It would be the first time since 1917 that the parliament has used this power. The vote is expected to pass comfortably, with both the government and opposition supporting Ward's removal. On Monday, Premier Chris Minns said Ward's continued presence in parliament was "ridiculous" and threatened the integrity of the institution. Mr Minns called on Ward to resign and said if he did not, the parliament would take steps to remove him. On Thursday, Opposition leader Mark Speakman repeated his support for the expulsion motion. "The fact that he is now incarcerated makes that call even stronger," Mr Speakman said. Ward spent his first night in Silverwater jail after his bail was revoked in the District Court on Wednesday, where a date was set for his sentencing in September. Once expelled, Ward will lose his salary and entitlements immediately. The Speaker of the House will assume responsibility for the Kiama electorate until a by-election is held and a new member is sworn in. If Ward is discharged from the parliament, it is the Speaker's responsibility to contact the electoral commission to organise a by-election in the seat. If Ward appealed against his conviction and succeeded, he would remain removed from parliament and would have to recontest the seat of Kiama to return. The last time a member was expelled from the Legislative Assembly was in 1917. Richard Arthur Price was removed for conduct "unworthy of a member of parliament and seriously reflecting on the dignity of the House", after a royal commission found he had made baseless allegations against a minister. Mr Price recontested and won the subsequent by-election just weeks later. Expulsion remains one of the most serious sanctions parliament can impose on one of its own. In the Legislative Council, the last expulsion occurred in 1969, when Alexander Armstrong MLC was found to have engaged in conduct that included procuring false evidence, entertaining the possibility of bribing a Supreme Court judge, and offering false testimony. Mr Armstrong unsuccessfully challenged his expulsion in the Court of Appeal. As the reality of Ward being jailed sinks in, there are mixed feelings on the streets of Kiama about the future. Couple Sue and Glenn Lawrence said the former Liberal turned independent had been effective for the electorate, but that it was time for him to resign. "I think it's the right thing to do, as much as he has done a lot for Kiama as a politician," Ms Lawrence said. Russell Hawkins said Ward should have stepped down long ago. "I think he shouldn't have contested the previous election," Mr Hawkins said. "He's been found guilty. I think it's repugnant what he did, and I'm glad he's going to be out." There was concern for the electorate of more than 80,000 people to be left without representation in parliament from next week. "There will have to be a vote for a new person," Mr Lawrence said. "You could get the Liberals coming back in again or Labor, I don't know, but we do need somebody here." Other residents said they were in less of a rush and were eager to wait until any appeal was finalised. "I'm puzzled," Rupert Jarvis said. "Overall, in his capacity as an MP, I think he does an excellent job." Another resident, Margaret Mitchell said: "He's done years and years of incredible service" for Kiama. Ward's electorate office in Kiama was temporarily closed last week but has since reopened. Staff told the ABC they were continuing to respond to enquiries and had received strong support from the community. They also urged the public to treat all political staff with respect. A day after he was sent to prison, Ward's defamation case against Sydney radio station 2SM was mentioned in the District Court. The case was relisted on the court's active list following Ward's conviction for sexual assault offences, prompting consideration of how the guilty verdict may affect the defamation proceedings. A certificate of conviction could be tendered as part of the broadcaster's early serious harm defence or in support of an application for summary dismissal. The matter is due back in court on September 11.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
NSW Liberals support Gareth Ward expulsion ‘in principle', await Labor's legal advice
NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman says the Liberal Party would support the expulsion of Kiama MP Gareth Ward from parliament only 'in principle', while it awaits the state government's legal advice. Ward was taken into custody on remand on Wednesday while awaiting sentencing after he was found guilty by a jury of three counts of indecent assault and a fourth count of intercourse without consent. The charges relate to acts against two young men – an 18-year-old at Meroo Meadow in 2013 and a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015 – and sparked calls for the south coast MP to resign from parliament. Mr Speakman said on Monday he would support a motion to expel Ward if he did not resign. But, with a motion expected to be moved by Labor when parliament resumes on Monday, the Liberal leader said on Thursday 'in principle, we would support his expulsion if he does not resign'. 'But I would like to see some legal advice just to confirm that that is in order. 'Subject to that, in principle, we support it.' Mr Speakman said it appeared 'pretty clear' the parliament had the power to expel Ward under Standing Order 254, which manages expulsion of MPs deemed to have behaved in a way 'unworthy' of the house. 'The Premier has referred to legal advice he has obtained,' Mr Speakman said. 'Would invite the Premier to share that legal advice with his parliamentary colleagues so we can be completely assured that we are doing the legally correct thing. 'But, in principle, in principle, he should be expelled, but I would just like that T crossed and that I dotted.' Asked if he would support Ward's expulsion only after seeing the legal advice, Mr Speakman said: 'Let's cross that bridge. 'Certainly, in principle, we support his expulsion. 'I'd prefer to see him resign in the public interest. 'This is a pretty significant thing. It happens very rarely to expel a member from parliament, and I think my colleagues are entitled to see that advice.' Mr Speakman said Ward being in custody made the 'case for his departure from parliament even strong', and called on parliament to 'take every available legal step to remove him from parliament'. Premier Chris Minns earlier this week called on Ward to resign. 'It is completely ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious offences and stay as a member of parliament,' the Premier said on Monday. 'I haven't spoken to all of my colleagues, and I haven't spoken to the crossbench or the opposition about it, but it would seem ridiculous that he would continue as a member of parliament.' Mr Minns confirmed the parliament had the power to remove Ward but noted it was important that the Legislative Assembly's decision 'is not punitive'. 'The punitive measure is up to the NSW court. It's not up to parliament,' he said. 'They'll make the decision about what punishment is applied, not us.'
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
The Taliban criticize neighboring countries for their mass expulsion of Afghans
ISLAMABAD — The Taliban on Wednesday criticized neighboring countries for the mass expulsion of Afghans, as Iran and Pakistan expel foreigners who they say are living there illegally. The two countries set deadlines and threatened them with arrest or deportation if they did not comply. They deny targeting Afghans, who make up significant numbers in both countries.
News24
3 days ago
- Politics
- News24
ANC fights back against Zuma's court challenge to overturn his expulsion
Former president Jacob Zuma has filed a court challenge to overturn the ANC's disciplinary process that led to his expulsion, arguing procedural flaws and intimidation by ANC officials. Zuma claims the ANC's national disciplinary committee unilaterally scheduled hearings when his representatives were unavailable and accuses secretary-general Fikile Mbalula of intimidation during the process. The ANC has filed a notice to oppose Zuma's application and promises to submit its answering documents at a later stage. The ANC has moved to block former president Jacob Zuma's bid to return to the party, filing court papers to oppose his legal challenge against his expulsion. City Press understands that the party filed a notice of intention to oppose Zuma's Johannesburg High Court application on 25 July, in which he argues his disciplinary process was unlawful and seeks reinstatement to the ANC. READ: Jacob Zuma challenges ANC expulsion in court, citing intimidation and procedural irregularities Zuma's application at the same court, filed on 8 July, shows that the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) leader contends that the process leading to his expulsion as a member of the ANC in November last year was 'irregular and illegal'. He claims that the ANC's national disciplinary committee (NDC) unilaterally determined the hearing dates despite his representatives being unavailable at the time, on 23 July last year. In the notice, the ANC, with President Cyril Ramaphosa cited as a respondent, indicates that its answering papers and all the necessary documents to substantiate its case will be submitted at a later stage. The ANC and Cyril Ramaphosa hereby give notice of the intention to oppose the notice of motion and appoint the address at the attorneys set out in the notice of motion as the address where all documents in the matter will be served ANC legal papers The contentious legal action by Zuma comes as the ANC's disciplinary committee found him guilty of 'prejudicing the integrity' of the party by joining the MKP and has given him three weeks to appeal against its ruling. In his court papers, he highlights procedural flaws that led to the verdict of his expulsion. A pre-hearing conference was not held, despite being expressly directed by the NDC. 'A pre-hearing conference is an important feature of a fair hearing and not just a mere optional formality,' his papers state. Zuma also alleges that his representatives were subjected to intimidation at the hands of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. According to the court papers, Mbalula allegedly sent WhatsApp messages to Tony Yengeni, Zuma's representative in the hearing. The alleged messages from Mbalula to Yengeni read: 'Who do you think you are, to destroy the ANC, and who are you, Tony?' Zuma further states that Yengeni regarded Mbalula's actions as bizarre and unconstitutional. 'He correctly regarded Mbalula's conduct as insulting, intimidating and a breach of the spirit of the ANC constitution. I agreed with his view and, after he reported the incident to me, I instructed him to raise it with the NDC at the earliest convenience, in the hope that the ANC would take appropriate action against such blatant misconduct,' read the court papers. He further asserts that the ANC failed to provide him with the heads of argument, an omission he regards as a violation of his constitutional rights.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Morecambe facing National League expulsion amid financial woes
Morecambe face expulsion from English football's league pyramid after the fifth-tier National League suspended the Lancashire-based club with immediate effect because of their dire financial position. In a short statement, the league said its Compliance and Licensing Committee had met on Monday afternoon to debate Morecambe's ability to start the season. Advertisement The club have been in football's Emergency Room for years but the crisis has deepened in recent weeks after a protracted takeover by London-based sports investment company Panjab Warriors stalled and a new potential buyer emerged. With Morecambe already under a transfer embargo, the National League announced on Friday that it was effectively giving current owner Bond Group Investments until noon to sell the club. But that deadline came and went, giving the league no option but to suspend the club until August 20, which means their first three fixtures of the new season — away at Boston United, home to Brackley Town and away at Scunthorpe — are postponed. Whether they will ever be rescheduled is now up to Bond Group Investments owner Jason Whittingham. 'The club will also remain under embargo ahead of the new season,' the National League statement added. 'Morecambe will also be removed from the National League Cup for the forthcoming season. 'The committee will meet again on Wednesday, August 20, to determine if outstanding items have been satisfied, and to decide the club's ability to retain membership in the competition.' That last sentence is particularly ominous as it is the same threat Bury FC received from the English Football League (EFL) when they were prevented from starting the 2019-20 season in League One. They were expelled from the EFL on August 27, 2019, becoming their first team to suffer that fate since Maidstone Town in 1992. Bury went into administration a year later, with some fans forming a phoenix club. However, the original club was revived in 2023, after a merger with the new team, and they are now back in the seventh tier of English football. The fate of Macclesfield Town is another worrying precedent for Morecambe fans, as the Cheshire-based club were relegated from League Two in 2020 in the same state of financial disarray as Morecambe have been in but were not allowed to start the National League season and soon collapsed. A local businessman bought the assets later that year and restarted the club as Macclesfield FC in the ninth tier in 2021. They have now climbed back to the sixth tier. Advertisement Morecambe fans will be hoping they can still avoid having to take this journey but the prospects do not look good. Bond Group Investments bought the club in 2018 but has been missing payments to players and the taxman ever since 2023, which was a year after their rugby union club Worcester Warriors went bankrupt. Whittingham has repeatedly said that he wants to sell the loss-making club but spent almost a year trying to sell it to a Birmingham-based businessman called Sarbjot Johal, before moving on to Panjab Warriors. Unlike Johal, they were approved by the EFL in June and have been funding the club via loans for most of this year. But, having missed several deadlines to complete the takeover, Whittingham reneged on the deal. Panjab immediately announced it was taking legal action against him and both sides appear to be dug in for a long fight. In the meantime, Whittingham announced that he was in talks with a new group led by a British businessman called Jonny Cato. The Athletic has attempted to find out more details about this individual with no success. However, it now seems that even Cato has got cold feet, as Whittingham issued a statement via the club to say that he cannot get in contact with Panjab Warriors and adverse publicity has scared Cato's group off. The club's supporters and local politicians have no doubt as to who is to blame, though, with Whittingham being public enemy number one. The Athletic has asked him for comment on a number of occasions but without reply.
