**Controversy Erupts as Convicted Rapist Seeks to Retain Parliamentary Seat in Australia**

**Gareth Ward, a former Australian politician found guilty of rape, faces growing pressure to resign from parliament, even as he fights legal battles from his prison cell.**

In an unprecedented case, Gareth Ward, a politician representing Kiama in the New South Wales (NSW) parliament, is legally contesting his expulsion after being convicted of sexual assault against two young men, aged 18 and 24, during incidents between 2013 and 2015. Ward, now incarcerated, is awaiting sentencing following his conviction last month.

Despite the NSW parliament's initial plans to oust Ward this week, he remains defiant, with his legal team seeking an injunction against the expulsion at an upcoming Supreme Court hearing. The 44-year-old’s appeal against the verdict is also in progress. NSW Premier Chris Minns has publicly condemned Ward’s insistence on retaining his parliamentary seat, emphasizing that it is “unconscionable” for a convicted rapist to hold office while confined in jail.

Opposition leader Mark Speakman has echoed Minns’ sentiments, arguing that Ward's presence in parliament is a disservice to both the taxpayers and the constituents of Kiama. Speakman pointed out that every moment Ward remains a member of parliament while incarcerated is a slap in the face to those the politician serves.

Following his conviction, Ward expressed devastation over the jury's decision but voiced intentions to challenge it legally. He had already resigned from his ministerial role and departed from the Liberal Party—of which he was an active member—when the allegations first surfaced in 2021. However, he was re-elected in 2023 to continue representing Kiama, despite ongoing controversies.

If Ward is successfully expelled from parliament, it will result in a by-election in Kiama, potentially occurring within weeks. Sentencing for Ward's crimes, which include three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape, is scheduled for next month.