In a significant ruling, NSW parliament member Gareth Ward has been found guilty of sexual assault against two young men, reflecting a chilling moment in Australian political history.
Gareth Ward Convicted: A Dark Chapter in Australian Politics
Gareth Ward Convicted: A Dark Chapter in Australian Politics
New South Wales Politician Found Guilty of Multiple Sex Crimes Amidst Controversy
In a shocking verdict that ripples through New South Wales' political landscape, Gareth Ward, a sitting member of state parliament, has been found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape. The jury's decision followed a lengthy trial that lasted nine weeks and resulted in three days of deliberation.
Ward, aged 44, was accused of assaulting two young men, ages 18 and 24, in incidents that took place at his home after they met through political events between 2013 and 2015. Despite resigning from his position as a state government minister and from the Liberal Party in 2021 amidst the allegations, Ward remained steadfast in his parliamentary role and was re-elected as the member for Kiama in the recent 2023 elections.
The evidence presented outlined a disturbing account, where Ward allegedly invited an intoxicated 18-year-old to his residence in 2013, subjecting him to multiple instances of indecent assault against his will. Furthermore, in 2015, he was accused of raping a political staffer following a parliamentary event.
During the trial, Ward denied the accusations, claiming the 2015 incident did not occur and suggesting the first complainant misremembered their shared encounter. However, the prosecution, led by Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles, emphasized the striking similarities in the victims’ testimonies, arguing that their parallel accounts, despite having never met, bolstered the credibility of their claims.
Ward is scheduled to return to court later this year for sentencing as discussions within the NSW government regarding his expulsion from parliament remain contentious, though legal advice had previously cautioned against actions that might prejudice his trial. This ruling has sparked renewed conversations about accountability and the culture of silence surrounding sexual misconduct in political spheres across Australia.
