Former Australian politician Gareth Ward has officially stepped down from his role in the New South Wales parliament just hours before an anticipated vote to expel him. This dramatic exit follows his recent conviction for sexually assaulting two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015. He has been taken into custody as he awaits sentencing next month.
Ward, 44, attempted to legally contest his expulsion, arguing that it undermined democratic principles. However, the court dismissed his claims, and with the expulsion vote looming, Ward submitted his resignation letter shortly before parliament convened. This resignation means he will no longer receive his parliamentary salary and has triggered a by-election in his south-coast NSW constituency of Kiama.
Previously, Ward had resigned from his ministerial position in 2021 and distanced himself from the Liberal Party but managed to get re-elected in 2023. NSW Premier Chris Minns commented that Ward's resignation should have occurred sooner, emphasizing that convicted criminals should not represent their communities. Meanwhile, opposition leader Mark Speakman criticized Ward's legal maneuvers as shameful, stating it's unacceptable for someone convicted of serious crimes to hold a parliamentary seat. Ward has expressed intentions to appeal his conviction.
