Convicted rapist MP fights to keep parliamentary seat

A convicted rapist MP, Gareth Ward, is fighting to keep his seat in the New South Wales Parliament despite being in jail. The Parliament wants to expel him, but Ward has taken legal action to block the move and retain his hefty pay packet.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
In an extraordinary showdown, State Parliament has taken the Supreme
Court to court over rapist MP Gareth Ward.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Parliament wants to kick him out, but he's taken
legal action to block the move, trying to keep his
seat and hefty paypacket from behind bars. Convicted rapist Gareth
Ward today pitting the new South Wales Parliament against the
New South Wales Supreme Court. Is this your client using
the courts to extend this as long as possible? Not

(00:32):
at all.

Speaker 3 (00:32):
He is considered to an early hearing. The process has
the potential to extend beyond the next general election.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Still an MP, and he could stay that way. The
Parliament hit with a surprise injunction yesterday afternoon, stopping moves
to expel him.

Speaker 4 (00:48):
Clearly he's got no shame. It's an unconscionable situation to
have someone who's currently sitting in jail in silver Water,
convicted the serious sexual offenses, who is demanding to remain
a member of Parliament.

Speaker 3 (01:00):
The House needs to be able to make its judgment
to protect itself and we will be seeking a review
of the judge's decision.

Speaker 2 (01:08):
A court date pushed forward today given the urgency and
public interest time is taxpayer money. Each week the passes
ward is still paid. The MP has already earned almost
five thousand dollars since being convicted. By the time he's
back in court Thursday, that doubles.

Speaker 5 (01:26):
So what has happened so far is extremely unusual.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
It wouldn't happen in any other state. But New South
Wales changed its rules which means a convicted MP can't
be disqualified until after their appeal process ends.

Speaker 5 (01:39):
The problem for the people of Cayama is that they
won't have their representative able to sit in the Parliament
during the time that he's in prison. And he's still
a member of Parliament.

Speaker 3 (01:49):
You should resign your constituents come first.

Speaker 1 (01:55):
Live two Serena and Deloro Serena. Are the Parliament's hands
tied over ward.

Speaker 2 (02:02):
Well, and we'll have to wait until Thursday to hear
whether that court injunction will be lifted. But constitutional lawyers
have told seven News the Parliament could always just pass
a law to have him kicked out. And tonight Mark
Latham is making headlines again. He's on the war path
in Parliament using privilege, accusing the Premier and Campbelltown MP

(02:23):
Greg Warren of a cover up after ALP official Jamie
Clements was accused of pushing a former Labour staffer against
a wall and trying to kiss her almost a decade ago.
The government denies any involvement and says it's an old story.
The Upper House is currently debating whether to refer mister
Latham to the Privilege's Committee for Formal Reprimand over other behavior.

Speaker 4 (02:49):
Serena Edelo on the Cory Street. Thank you,