Kiama MP Gareth Ward will not be suspended from New South Wales parliament again as he awaits trial over historic sexual abuse allegations.
Key points:
- A state parliament committee has warned against re-suspending Kiama MP Gareth Ward
- Mr Ward was re-elected in March after historic sexual abuse allegations came to light
- The report said a second suspension could result in “serious and negative consequences”
The Liberal-turned-Independent MP has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges.
Mr Ward was re-elected in his south coast seat at the March election, after being suspended from the last parliament.
The previous Coalition government initiated the suspension and it passed parliament without opposition.
The Minns government referred Mr Ward’s situation, without naming him, to the parliament’s privileges and ethics committee for it to assess whether a suspension was appropriate.
The committee, made up of lower house MPs, has handed down its findings and warned against suspending an MP for their alleged conduct outside the parliament.
“The suspension of a member can potentially have serious and negative consequences on the House, a member’s constituents, victims of alleged crimes and the presumption of innocence of a member,” the Committee Chair Alex Greenwich said in the report.
The government released a statement, indicating it would follow the committee’s recommendations.
“The government notes the committee’s view that suspension of a member can potentially have consequences for the victims of any alleged crimes, including delaying criminal proceedings,” a government spokesman said.
“The member for Kiama is facing serious criminal charges. The government would not do anything which would jeopardise these proceedings running their course.”
The Kiama MP welcomed the report.
“My constituents voted for me for many reasons but their vote was also an endorsement of the presumption of innocence which has been totally trashed by some commentators,” Mr Ward said in a statement.
“This report highlights that the decision of my local community, who know me best, should be respected.”
Premier Chris Minns has previously said he would only reply formally to questions asked by the Kiama MP on the floor of parliament until the parliamentary committee finalised its report.
It meant he took them on notice and provided short written replies that were tabled in parliament.
Mr Ward has criticised the premier’s approach.
“His answers on such important issues falls far short of the mark and reflect entirely on him,” Mr Ward said.
“I don’t expect an apology from the premier to me but I believe he should apologise to my electorate of Kiama for his treatment of the issues I’ve raised and the decision they made to re-elect me as their local MP.”
Mr Ward’s trial is scheduled for next year.