Defence argues alleged rape by NSW MP Gareth Ward did not happen
The defence in the trial of NSW MP Gareth Ward has suggested an alleged sexual assault in Mr Ward's apartment in 2015 never occurred.
On the eighth day of the trial, the defence wrapped up its cross-examination of the first complainant, directly challenging his version of events.
WARNING: This story contains content that readers may find distressing.
Kiama MP Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent in relation to the 2015 allegation.
He has also denied four other charges, including indecent assault, involving a second complainant who was 18 in 2013.
During cross-examination, the politician's defence barrister David Campbell SC suggested the complainant had instead spent the night at Parliament House because he was intoxicated.
The man, who was 24 at the time of the alleged assault and cannot be identified for legal reasons, denied that.
"I went to Mr Ward's apartment," the complainant said.
The defence suggested "none of the things that you say happened at Mr Ward's apartment", and specifically the alleged rape, happened.
"That is not true," the complainant responded.
"Mr Ward kissed me and put his finger in my anus whilst he pleasured himself."
The complainant also told the court he still thought Mr Ward was an "incredibly capable local member".
"Just because he did this to me — well, these things to me — does not mean he's a bad person," he said.
During re-examination by the Crown, the man was asked to explain why he applied for a job in Mr Ward's office after the 2019 election.
"When you work in a field like politics, you sometimes have to separate the personal from the professional, which is what I believe I was doing," he said
He also addressed his delay in reporting the alleged assault to police.
"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."
Asked why he did not raise the allegations internally, the complainant said he feared an official complaint might be leaked or mishandled.
"If I were to send an email to the premier's office, I don't know who would see it," he said.
"I didn't want that to be seen by someone who might use it for nefarious purposes."
The Crown prosecutor asked the complainant why he used terms of endearment when messaging Mr Ward.
"In explaining the use of, 'I said love, I said darl, I said pet' — what is that from?" the prosecutor asked.
The complainant said while he could not recall the name of the TV show, it involved Magda Szubanski in the 80s or 90s.
"I wasn't trying to convey anything except we were waiting to start, and we were ready for him. I use the phrase quite regularly," he said.
The first complainant is expected to complete his re-examination when the trial resumes tomorrow.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
31 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Brisbane households slugged with $50 green waste bin fee – even if they don't want one
Households in a major city are set to be slugged with an extra $50 waste levy as the council announces a major rollout as part of its annual budget to help skirt the state government's 'bin tax'. From August, Brisbane City Council will introduce the Universal Waste Charge, an opt-out green waste program for about 170,000 stand-alone households that will replace the Waste Utility Charge and scrap existing surcharges. Instead, residents will be charged a flat annual universal waste fee of $512.96 – whether they use the new green waste bin or not. This is an increase of about $50 per year, with the rollout expected to take place between August and December. Residents who already paid for a green waste bin will not have to cop the fee. However, those who do not want the bin will still have to pay the extra fee. 'Other households will pay an extra $49.52 a year, with $33 of this increase related to the waste levy introduced by the former Labor state government,' a council statement read. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the change was part of a 'large-scale tax-avoidance scheme' that would help the council dodge the state government's 'bin tax'. He said the introduction of the green bins would help reduce strain on growing landfills. 'One of the things this does is it helps us avoid the state government's bin tax,' he said per The Brisbane Times. 'Every year there's a tax that increases on waste going to landfill. 'At the moment, for example, our green waste recycling program saves about $1.6m a year in state government taxes. 'We're running a large-scale tax avoidance scheme because I don't want anyone to have to pay the state government's bin tax.' The state government levy was introduced in 2019 and charges the council about $115 per tonne of waste in the landfill. It is expected to increase by $10 every year until 2028. Mr Schrinner argued the recently announced annual fee would help save between $2m and $3m within the first year of the scheme. In the span of five years, Brisbane City Council estimates it will save approximately $32m. 'Every house will get a green bin, and that will be part of the business-as-usual service,' he said per The Brisbane Times. 'The reason we're doing that is because of the state government's bin tax … that effectively forces ever-increasing costs onto councils.'
News.com.au
35 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Minns NSW Government to introduce suite of DV reforms to close loopholes
The NSW government is set to introduce groundbreaking reforms aimed at bolstering support for victims of sexual violence across the state and closing a loophole that left a shocking crime unpunished in some cases. The Minns Labor Government is set to introduce a suite of reforms to parliament next week, bringing NSW into line with relevant Commonwealth offences and increasing protections from sexual exploitation. A new provision to the Crimes Act 1900 will ensure sexual offenders who either sexually assault someone or indecently interfere with their body after death are unable to escape prosecution when the time of death is unknown, making which specific crime occurred unclear. The new provision means when it is clear 'beyond a reasonable doubt 'that one of these two crimes occurred, but it is uncertain due to the timing of death which one, the accused will be sentenced with whichever offence has the lesser maximum penalty. Previously they would have been unpunished. The government says the reform is in 'direct response' to issues that arose in the inquest of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose 'Cindy' Smith in 2024, and the tireless advocacy of their families for reform. The penalty for indecently assaulting a deceased person will also be increased and criminalising female genital mutilation will also be strengthened. Other amendments to the act will redefine the age threshold for child abuse material offences, raising it from 16 to 18 years, aligning with Commonwealth standards. These reforms are designed to close existing legislative gaps and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children. The Crimes Act will also be amended to 'make it easier to prosecute people who commit sexual acts in the presence of children', the Minns government said in a statement. Changes to the act will also be made to ensure female genital mutilation is considered a crime regardless of the reason or motivation or age of the victim, while ensuring medically necessary practices are protected. The legislation, to be introduced in Parliament the day after the Minns Labor Government hands down the 2025-2026 NSW budget, comes after changes around domestic violence offences. These changes included making it harder for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, and introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders. It also strengthened laws to protect against repeated breaches of ADVOs, and made changes to bail courts across NSW to ensure bail decisions are made by magistrates and judges – not registrars. Attorney-General Michael Daley said the Minns Labor Government stands with victim-survivors. 'We are ensuring that women and children are better protected from sexual abuse and exploitation,' he said. 'Our Government is closing loopholes and strengthening the law to make it easier to prosecute those who commit acts of sexual violence. 'I thank the families of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose 'Cindy' Smith for their bravery and advocacy in the face of tragedy to strengthen New South Wales laws to better protect victims.' Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said the government is 'working to build a safer New South Wales for women and children'. 'Sexual and abuse and exploitation is unacceptable, at the same time as we are investing in support services for victim survivors, we are ensuring that perpetrators are held to account,' she said. 'We will continue to work with experts, advocates and victim survivors to address the impact of domestic and sexual violence across our state.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Footscray man dies after alleged assault by released immigration detainee
A 62-year-old man has died in hospital from injuries he sustained after an alleged serious assault in Melbourne's inner west last weekend. The man was taken to hospital and placed on life support after he was allegedly assaulted at the intersection of Nicholson and Paisley streets in Footscray on Sunday morning. Police arrested Friday Yokoju after the assault, charging him with intentionally causing serious injury. A Victoria Police spokesperson said investigators would now consider alternate charges following the man's death. The ABC understands the 43-year-old was released from immigration detention after a 2023 High Court ruling sometimes referred to as NZYQ. The court set aside an earlier judgement that ruled indefinite immigration was lawful, which triggered the release of about 140 detainees, including Mr Yokoju. Mr Yokoju had been remanded in custody after an initial court hearing on Monday over the assault, where his lawyer requested an urgent psychiatric assessment. He had previously remained in the community on a bridging visa while the Department of Home Affairs worked on his deportation. He is next expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in October.
