NSW MP Gareth Ward suspended from parliament after historical sexual abuse charges
NSW MP Gareth Ward has been suspended from parliament with pay after he was charged over the alleged historical sexual abuse of a man and a teenage boy.
The NSW Government moved to suspend the Member for Kiama after Mr Ward refused to resign.
“It is, therefore, appropriate the member be suspended until criminal proceedings have been finalised,” Acting Premier Paul Toole said today.
The motion passed the lower house without any opposition.
Mr Ward has been charged with three counts of assault with an act of indecency and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault.
Police will allege in court Mr Ward indecently assaulted a 17-year-old boy at Meroo Meadow in February 2013 and sexually abused a 27-year-old man in Sydney in September 2015.
Mr Ward said he was “extremely disappointed” with the decision to suspend him.
“The Legislative Assembly of the Parliament has today taken the step of suspending me as a member based on allegations that I completely deny and that have yet to be tested in a court of law,” Mr Ward said in the statement.
Mr Ward will defend the charges.
He will face Port Kembla Local Court in May.
