Independent candidate Gareth Ward has been re-elected to the NSW parliament as he faces charges of sexual and indecent assault.
A former Liberal Party MP, Ward moved to the crossbench in the last term of parliament and was also suspended from the parliament by former premier Dominic Perrottet after he refused to resign while an investigation was underway. Ward had served as Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister until he was forced to the crossbench.
Ward was now been re-elected to the seat of Kiama as an independent, having previously held the seat as a Liberal since 2011. The ABC’s Antony Green called the tight race on Wednesday. At the time of publishing, Ward had secured a two-party preferred vote of 51.3 per cent, ahead of his Labor opponent Katelin McInerny.
On Tuesday, Ward appeared at the Nowra District Court, pleading not guilty to five criminal charges. Police allege he indecently assaulted a 17-year-old boy in February 2013, and sexually assaulted a 27-year-old man in September 2015.
Ward has always denied the allegations.
The new NSW Premier Chris Minns has previously said he would seek to suspend Ward from parliament if he was re-elected and while court proceedings carry out. On Tuesday, Minns said he would not comment until the polls had been officially declared.
“I’m conscious of the fact there’s a criminal trial that began today. I’m not going to make a comment about it specifically,” Minns told the media.
Ward released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, saying serving the people of Kiama was the greatest honour of his life.
“When it comes to elections, the people always get it right,” he said.
“I want to thank the people of our community for putting their faith and trust in me for the fourth time.
“To those who didn’t vote for me for whatever reason, I respect your decision and I am here to serve those who voted for me and those who didn’t.”