Gareth Ward (Australian politician)
- For other people with the same name, see Gareth Ward.
Gareth Ward | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ward in 2018 | |
| Born | 1980/1981 (age 44–46) Port Kembla, New South Wales, Australia |
| Criminal status | In prison |
| Conviction(s) | Guilty on all counts |
| Criminal charge | Indecent assault (3 counts) Sexual intercourse without consent (1 count) |
| Penalty | Five years and nine months |
| Details | |
| Victims | Political staffer and acquaintance |
Date apprehended | 27 March 2022 |
| Imprisoned at | Cessnock Correctional Centre |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Kiama | |
| In office 26 March 2011 – 8 August 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Matt Brown |
| Succeeded by | Katelin McInerney |
| Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services | |
| In office 2 April 2019 – 14 May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Pru Goward (as Minister for Family and Community Services) Ray Williams (as Minister for Disability Services) |
| Succeeded by | Alister Henskens |
| Personal details | |
| Political party |
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| Residence | Meroo Meadow[1] |
| Education | Bomaderry High School |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation |
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| Website | www |
Gareth James Ward is a former Australian politician. He resigned from the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 2025 after being found guilty for sexual assault. He represented the seat of Kiama on the South Coast from 2011 to 2025. He held various positions in the government serving as Minister for Families, Communities and Minister for Disability Services.[2][3] He was suspended from the New South Wales parliament in March 2022 after being charged with sexual intercourse without consent, and three counts of indecent assault.[4] He was convicted of all four counts in July 2025.[5]
Ward resigned on 8 August 2025 as the Parliament was preparing to expel him.[6] This caused a by-election in Kiama.[7] In Ocotber 2025 he was sent to prison for five years and nine months.[8]
References
- ↑ "Candidates – The Legislative Assembly District of Kiama". Elections NSW. New South Wales Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ↑ Gazette NSW, Government Notices Issue 30, pgs 1088-1090, 2 April 2019, https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2019_2019-30.pdf Archived 2022-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, 3 April 2019
- ↑ Sas, Nick (31 March 2019). "Gladys Berejiklian says Liberal Party has no women problem as re-elected NSW Premier shuffles Cabinet". ABC News. Australia. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ↑ Ferri, Lauren (28 March 2023). "Gareth Ward to stand trial over charges of sexual intercourse without consent, assault". news.com.au.
- ↑ Fuller, Kelly (25 July 2025). "NSW MP Gareth Ward found guilty of sexually abusing two young men". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ↑ McSweeney, Jessica (8 August 2025). "Convicted rapist Gareth Ward resigns moments before parliament expels him". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Gilbert, Romy; Fernandez, Tim (13 September 2025). "Labor win Kiama by-election as voters replace disgraced MP Gareth Ward". ABC News. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ↑ 2025, Miklos Bolza and Adelaide Lang, 'Rapist former MP jailed after sexually assaulting men', Ballarat Courier, 31 October 2025, https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/9101404/rapist-former-mp-jailed-after-sexually-assaulting-men/