A court ruling has temporarily halted the expulsion of Gareth Ward, a Member of Parliament from Kiama, who is currently imprisoned for sexual assault. On Monday, the Supreme Court of New South Wales granted Ward injunctive orders against Ron Hoenig, the leader of the lower house, and Greg Piper, the Speaker of Parliament. This decision prevents the Labor government from proceeding with a motion to remove him from office while the court considers the case further.
Ward, who was convicted on July 30, 2023, of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault, has been receiving a salary of $3,350 per week since his conviction. NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed his dismay over the situation, stating, “Clearly, he’s got no shame,” during an interview on Sydney radio. He described it as “an unconscionable situation” for a convicted felon to continue serving as an MP while in custody.
The court’s order not only allows Ward to maintain his parliamentary position for now but also puts a crucial timeline into play. Parliament is set to rise on Friday evening for a four-week break, creating urgency for the government to act. Hoenig emphasized that all options are being considered to challenge Ward’s position, asserting that the court does not have the authority to restrict parliamentary proceedings.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman voiced his concerns, urging Ward’s legal team to encourage him to resign. He remarked, “Every day he clings to his seat from a jail cell, taxpayers are footing the bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless.” Speakman’s remarks highlight the growing frustration among constituents and lawmakers alike regarding the situation.
Ward, who has served in the Liberal Party since 2011, now sits as an independent following his suspension from parliament after his arrest. His conviction stems from incidents involving sexual assault against two individuals, one of whom was an intoxicated political staffer in 2015. The other incident involved a drunken 18-year-old man in 2013 at his residence on the South Coast.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the implications of this case for parliamentary conduct and the responsibilities of elected officials. The Supreme Court is scheduled to reconvene on Friday to hear arguments from both sides, which may determine Ward’s fate in the legislature.
This ongoing situation raises significant questions about accountability within political structures and the potential consequences of allowing a convicted individual to remain in office. The people of Kiama and the broader public will be watching closely as developments continue to unfold.
