Kiama MP Gareth Ward Guilty of Sexual Abuse Charges

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Kiama Member of Parliament Gareth Ward, 44, has been convicted of sexually abusing two young men in 2013 and 2015, triggering widespread calls for his resignation and raising questions about accountability in public office.

On 25 July 2025, a New South Wales District Court jury found Ward guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent, following a nine-week trial. The court heard that in February 2013, Ward invited an 18-year-old to his home in Meroo Meadow, where the victim was given alcohol and assaulted three times despite resisting. In 2015, Ward assaulted a 24-year-old political staffer at his residence in Potts Point after a Parliament House event. The victim testified that Ward ignored his repeated refusals. During the trial, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles told the jury that the incidents demonstrated a pattern of behaviour.

The Australian Labor Party government, led by Premier Chris Minns, promptly called for Ward’s resignation, stating his position was no longer tenable and affirming the government’s commitment to uphold the integrity of the Legislative Assembly should Ward refuse to step down. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman condemned Ward’s actions as an abuse of power, emphasizing that the jury’s verdict was reached beyond reasonable doubt.

Ward, who has represented Kiama since 2011, resigned from the Liberal Party in 2021 amid the investigation and has been sitting as an independent since. He faces a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment for the charge of sexual intercourse without consent. Despite the conviction, Ward has yet to resign, reportedly considering an appeal. This situation has prompted discussion about the mechanisms for enforcing political accountability and the adequacy of candidate vetting procedures, especially given Ward’s re-election in 2023 despite the ongoing allegations.

The conviction highlights the importance of ensuring that elected representatives are held to the highest standards of conduct and reinforces calls for stronger parliamentary oversight and political responsibility.