Gareth Ward Resigns from Parliament Following Rape Conviction

Gareth Ward's resignation prompts a by-election in Kiama as he awaits sentencing after being found guilty of multiple sexual assaults.

Gareth Ward, 44, the independent member for Kiama, has officially resigned from the Australian parliament just before an expected vote to expel him amid a legal battle over his position following a rape conviction. Found guilty last month of sexually assaulting two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015, Ward is currently in custody as he awaits sentencing.

Earlier this week, Ward attempted to halt the New South Wales (NSW) parliament's efforts to dismiss him, but his legal challenge was rejected by the court, which dismissed claims that expulsion would undermine the democratic process. In a dramatic turn of events, less than two hours before the scheduled vote for his ousting, Ward submitted his resignation, which was acknowledged by parliament around 09:08 local time on Friday (00:08 GMT).

As a consequence of his resignation, Ward will no longer receive a parliamentary salary and has triggered a by-election in the electorate he has represented since 2011. Despite quitting as a state government minister and leaving the Liberal Party in 2021, Ward remained determined to stay in parliament and was even re-elected in 2023.

During the legal proceedings, Ward's legal team contended that expelling him before the completion of the appeals process posed a threat to the principles of representative democracy. In response to his resignation, NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that it was overdue, asserting that individuals convicted of serious offenses, such as sexual assault, should not continue in parliamentary roles or receive public salaries.

Opposition leader Mark Speakman condemned Ward's attempt to maintain his position as "disgraceful," accusing him of exploiting the situation for personal gain. Ward has expressed intentions to appeal his guilty verdict, with sentencing anticipated next month.