Overview

• Ward faces charges for allegedly indecently assaulting an intoxicated 18-year-old at his South Coast home in 2013 and sexually assaulting a political staffer in 2015.
• During the third day of cross-examination, the complainant acknowledged sending a March 2019 email praising Ward’s work and friendship.
• He admitted embellishing the email to improve his chances of securing a political role when he feared for his career prospects.
• The defence argued that the tone and content of the message undermine the complainant’s credibility over his delayed report of the 2015 assault.
• Ward has represented the Kiama electorate since 2011, first as a Liberal MP and since 2023 as an independent, and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.