Convicted rapist fighting to remain in parliament in Australia
A Australian politician who is convicted of rape – from the prison cell – the new Southern Wales (NSW) State Parliament is fighting.
Last month, Gareth Ward was found guilty of sexual harassment of two young men aged 18 and 24 in his home between 2013-2015 and was currently being detained.
The NSW House of Representatives planned to expel the 44 -year -old boy this week after refusing to resign after the guilty decision.
However, Ward lawyers, who plans to object to their conviction, say that they will take a precautionary measures to stop the forcing of Kiama’s independent member at a Supreme Court hearing on Friday.
“No shame,” NSW Premier Chris Minns told the local radio station to 2GB on Tuesday.
Ward reiterated his calls to resign from the state parliament, saying that it was the “first and most prominent choice”.
“It is unimaginable to have a person sitting in prison at Silverwater, convicted of serious sexual crimes, demanding to remain as a parliamentary member and continues to be paid.” He said.
Opposition leader Mark Speakman participated in the calls for Ward to withdraw aside.
“Every day, he sticks from a prison cell to his seat, taxpayers are based on the bill, and the people of Kiama remain silent. Not just wrong, not wrong,” he said.
In a statement after his conviction, before canceling his guarantee, Ward said that the jury was “absolutely shattered” and spent time with his family.
“I get advice about the next steps, but I can verify that I have instructed my law team to prepare the earliest opportunity.”
When the accusations arose in 2021, Ward resigned from a state government and the Liberal Party, but refused to leave Parliament and re -elected as a member of Kiama in 2023.
The NSW government had previously thought of voting to expel Ward, a state deputy since 2011, but showed that the legal advice hearing could take the risk of prejudice.
If Ward is expelled from Parliament, the southern coast will trigger a election with a possible vote within weeks in the town of Kiama.
Ward’s next month will be sentenced to imprisonment for three inappropriate attacks and one rape.
