Overview

• A District Court jury found the Kiama MP guilty on four counts including indecent assault in 2013 and non-consensual intercourse in 2015
• Premier Chris Minns called for Ward’s immediate resignation, calling it “ridiculous” that he remains a member of parliament post-conviction
• Opposition Leader Mark Speakman warned the Legislative Assembly can remove Ward before his appeal to protect its integrity
• Ward remains on bail with daily reporting requirements as he awaits a detention hearing and the setting of a sentencing date
• Constitutional experts say the precarious balance in the hung parliament makes any vacancy in the chamber particularly consequential