Gareth Ward, a Member of Parliament in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has been found guilty of rape and indecent assault involving two young men.
The verdict was delivered on July 25, 2025, after a nine-week trial at the NSW District Court. Ward was convicted of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
The crimes took place in 2013 and 2015. One victim was 18 years old, and the other was 25.
Both incidents happened when the victims were drunk—one at Ward’s apartment in Potts Point, and the other after a night out that included a parliamentary event.
The jury, made up of seven women and five men, reached a unanimous guilty verdict after two and a half days of discussion.
Ward showed no reaction as the verdict was read. He still insists he is innocent and plans to appeal.
The court allowed him to remain free on bail while awaiting sentencing. He must report to the police daily, stay at home unless for court or medical visits, and has surrendered his passport. His sentence will be announced later this year.
Ward had served as a minister in the NSW government and left the Liberal Party in 2021 after being charged. He continued to serve as an independent MP and was re-elected in 2023 despite the ongoing case.
Following the verdict, NSW Premier Chris Minns and other leaders called for Ward to resign. If he refuses, Parliament may remove him using Section 13A of the state constitution, since his crimes carry prison terms longer than five years.
Written by Nzomo Joyce
