Current MP Gareth Ward charged over historical sexual abuse of man and teenage boy - NSW

[BFew]

the Kiama electorate

Here's some more about the Kiama electorate I penned in a political thread on BF not long ago tonight.

 

[Kwality]

Looks like Gareth has this one in the (douche) bag.

Lovely to know that the NSW taxpayer is basically funding his legal defence via paying him an MPs salary.

Hopefully if he is ever jailed, the NSW taxpayer will not be paying him a living away from home allowance!

The people have spoken ?

 

[jason_recliner]

The people have spoken ?

Yep. Either they don't believe the alleged victims or they want to be represented by an alleged paedophile.

 

[BFew]

The people have spoken ?

Or the Kiami electorate is full of a whole lot of mentally ill voters, that possibly did not have the mental capacity to know what they were doing when voting in last weeks NSW Election.

 

[geoffjennings79]

Yep. Either they don't believe the alleged victims or they want to be represented by an alleged paedophile.

Or the Kiami electorate is full of a whole lot of mentally ill voters, that possibly did not have the mental capacity to know what they were doing when voting in last weeks NSW Election.

I think you're both onto something.

Sexual abuse victims across the country in all jurisdictions are overwhelmingly and consistently shown to be telling the truth.

If I was voting, and a candidate of any political persuasion had these charges hanging over them, I am putting that candidate last.

Seems the good burgers of Kiama disagree. I wonder why?

 

[BFew]

Seems the good burgers of Kiama disagree. I wonder why?

Too many shit burgers in the Electorate.

And if anyone accuses me of gaslighting the Electorate.
Bingo!

 

[BFew]

NSW MP Gareth Ward loses bid for separate sexual assault trials

The recently re-elected independent has pleaded not guilty to five charges in the state’s district court

www.theguardian.com

NSW MP Gareth Ward loses bid for separate sexual assault trials​

'...
His trial is expected to last about three weeks, judge John Pickering said in the state’s district court on Thursday.

The judge granted a motion to have the trial held in Sydney and rejected another motion to have charges separated and dealt with in different trials in Sydney and Nowra on the south coast.

“There must be a joint trial and there will be,” Pickering said.
“Overwhelmingly, in my view, it is in the interest of justice for the trial to come to Sydney.”
The trial can be more easily accommodated and take less time in Sydney, the judge said.

A trial date will be set “as soon as possible”, potentially on Thursday afternoon.

Ward was not required to appear in court, being represented by a lawyer via audiovisual link.'

 

[BFew]

A trial date will be set “as soon as possible”, potentially on Thursday afternoon.

April next year.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/illawarra-star/kiama-state-mp-gareth-ward-trial-on-sexual-assault-allegations-to-be-held-in-sydney/news-story/4399a80bed5620e283aeb595f038deea

'Kiama independent MP Gareth Ward will stand trial on historic sexual assault allegations in Sydney in April, next year.'

 

[Kurve]

April next year.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/illawarra-star/kiama-state-mp-gareth-ward-trial-on-sexual-assault-allegations-to-be-held-in-sydney/news-story/4399a80bed5620e283aeb595f038deea

'Kiama independent MP Gareth Ward will stand trial on historic sexual assault allegations in Sydney in April, next year.'

What happens if he's convicted? I don't know.

If he gets a non custodial sentence does he keep his job?

 

[BFew]

What happens if he's convicted? I don't know.

If he gets a non custodial sentence does he keep his job?

Depends on the length of the term of the sentence (must be >=5 years), and whether any of his crimes are classified as "infamous".

Gareth Ward says it will be 'extraordinary' if he is suspended from NSW parliament as he fights charges

Independent Gareth Ward, the predicted winner of the seat of Kiama, pleaded not guilty to sexual abuse charges and says he should not be suspended from parliament.

www.abc.net.au

'There is no Australian law preventing someone charged with criminal offences from running for election.
But, it is an offence to nominate if you have been convicted or are due to be sentenced for an offence punishable by imprisonment for one year or longer.'

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/proceduralpublications/Documents/wppbook/Appendix%20GQualification%20and%20Disqualification%20of%20Members%20of%20Parliament.pdf

'Disqualification
A person is disqualified from being a member of the Assembly or of the Council if that person
....
becomes bankrupt or takes the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors (s. 13A(c)),
becomes a public defaulter (s. 13A(d)),
or is convicted of an infamous crime, or of an offence punishable by imprisonment for life or for a term of 5 years or more (s. 13A(e)).

In relation to what is considered to be an infamous crime, in 1940 the Court of Disputed Returns argued that an “infamous crime” depended upon the nature of the crime committed rather than the terms of the offence and whether it is “contrary to the faith credit and trust of mankind”.

 

[jason_recliner]

I can see the logic in allowing him to keep working until he's found guilty but when he's found guilty he should have to repay all his tax-payer funded income backdated to the first offence.