An Australian politician convicted of rape is fighting his jail cell to remain a member of the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW).
The Gareth Ward was found guilty of sexually assaulting two youths between the ages of 18 and 24 at their home between 2013 and 2015 last month, and now the punishment in custody is pending.
The NSW House of Representatives planned to expel 44 -year -old this week after a conviction decision.
However, ward counsel – who plans to appeal for their conviction – say they will find an prohibition in the Supreme Court hearing on Friday to stop the independent member from being forced to be forced to Kiama.
NSW Premier Chris Mines on Tuesday told the local radio station 2 GB, “He is not ashamed.”
He called the ward to resign from the state parliament, saying that this is “the first and most obvious option”.
“This is an unconscious situation for someone who is currently sitting in jail in a silverwater, convicted for serious sexual offenses, who is demanding to remain a member of Parliament and continue to be paid,” Mins said.
Opposition leader Mark Speakman joined the call to step on one side for the ward.
The leader of the NSW Liberals – a party that was a part in the past, said, “Every day he climbs his seat from the prison closet, beating the taxpayer bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless. It is not just wrong, it’s not just wrong,” NSW Liberals leader – a party that was a part in the ward which was a part of the ward – said – said.
In a statement after his sentence, but before his bail was canceled, the ward said he was “completely shattered” and spending time with his family.
The statement said, “I am taking advice about the next stages, but I can confirm that I have instructed my legal team to prepare an appeal on the occasion as soon as possible.”
The ward resigned from the Liberal party as a state government minister and the allegations emerged in 2021, but refused to leave Parliament and were re -elected to Kiama in 2023.
The NSW government had previously considered voting to expel the ward – who has been a state MP since 2011 – but legal advice indicated that it could put its test at risk from prejudice.
If the ward is expelled from Parliament, the south coast will trigger an by -election in the city of Kiama, with a possible vote within weeks.
The ward is being sentenced next month, which has a count of indecent attack and rape for three people.
