Overview

• Ward resigned minutes before a scheduled Legislative Assembly vote to expel him for unworthy conduct, instantly creating a vacancy in the Kiama electorate
• He was convicted in July on one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault from 2013 and 2015, and remains in custody pending sentencing
• His last-minute injunction to delay the expulsion motion was dismissed by the NSW Court of Appeal on August 7, affirming Parliament’s authority to proceed
• NSW Parliament has not used its power to expel a member for unworthy conduct since 1969, underscoring the exceptional nature of this integrity mechanism
• Ward has lodged an appeal against his convictions as the Speaker prepares to issue a writ for the Kiama by-election