Image: Gareth Ward
Last month, a court heard independent MP Gareth Ward had allegedly raped a political staffer in his Potts Point apartment after a NSW Parliament event, and had indecently assaulted an 18 year old several times.
Warning: This story contains content that may be distressing to some readers.
Ward has been on trial at Sydney’s Downing Centre for the past four weeks, facing charges related to sexual and indecent assault. He is accused of one count of sexual assault against a 24-year-old in 2015 and three counts of indecent assault against an 18-year-old in February 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges.
The MP for Kiama, Ward served as the NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services from 2019 to 2021.
The identities of both victim-survivors are protected under a non-publication order.
Gareth Ward’s Trial
Last month during the trial, jurors heard testimony from a young political staffer who claimed that, after a midweek event at Parliament House in 2015, former Liberal MP Gareth Ward offered him a place to stay. The staffer, feeling nauseous after drinking three glasses of wine and living far away, accepted the offer.
On the way to Ward’s Potts Point apartment, the staffer recalled feeling uncomfortable due to Ward’s overly gracious behaviour.
After initially rejecting a kiss, he was led to what he believed was a spare bedroom. However, after undressing, the staffer said Ward joined him in bed and asked to share it.
The staffer, who didn’t think much of sharing the bed at first, tried to prevent Ward from touching him or sexually assaulting him.
The complainant, now aged in his 30s, recounted telling Ward “no” when the politician “groped” his backside and sexually assaulted him.
Political staffer in ‘pain’ after alleged sexual assault by Gareth Ward
“At no stage did I [say] yes or gave him any indication that I was pleased with what was going on,” the alleged victim told the jury, as reported by The Guardian.
The assault left him feeling “a jolt of pain” and he heard Ward grunting and making a “relieved kind of groan” before he left the room, the court heard.
Shortly after the rejection, Ward tried again and the complainant “just went along with it” because he “thought he just wanted a kiss, and it would end there”.
The morning after the alleged sexual assault, the political staffed stated that they walked to Parliament House together.
“At one stage he said if I stick by him, he’ll take care of me,” he said.
Earlier this month, the political staffer was asked about an email he wrote congratulating Ward on his appointment as minister to families in March 2019.
He admitted to exaggerating and lying about his appreciation for Ward’s friendship in a bid to secure a job in politics.
The complainant insisted that the email did not contradict his claims of sexual assault by Ward, emphasising that he still held Ward in professional regard.
Gareth Ward’s team argue alleged sexual assault never happened
Ward’s defence team has now argued that the alleged sexual assault in 2015 never took place.
During cross-examination, the defence barrister, David Campbell SC, suggested that the complainant had spent the night at Parliament House because he was intoxicated.
The defence argued that “none of the things you say happened at Mr Ward’s apartment,” including the alleged assault, occurred, as reported by The ABC.
“That is not true,” the complainant responded.
A parliamentary associate who worked with the complainant also testified in court.
The staffer recalled that years after the alleged assault, the complainant confided in him, saying that Mr. Ward had “done something” to him.
“I still can’t remember the full detail of the conversation but I remember the emotion of the conversation,” the man told the court, as reported by news.com.au.
“I remember saying that I felt that whatever it was that (the complainant) was saying that he was exaggerating what he was saying, but I can’t recall more details than that,” he said.
The complainant also addressed him not reporting the alleged assault to police right away.
“It made me think twice about going to the police,” he said. “He had achieved a great deal for his electorate.
“I felt — obviously this is just me speaking now — but his electorate shouldn’t have to pay the price for some bad mistakes he made.”
Gareth Ward’s trial is ongoing.
If you need support after experiencing sexual violence, you can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support.
