Former New South Wales Liberal minister Gareth Ward has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for sexually assaulting two young men. The 44-year-old, who served as the independent MP for Kiama, was found guilty in July of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.

Ward appeared via audiovisual link from a correctional facility as Judge Kara Shead delivered the sentence in Parramatta District Court. The case faced delays, including a postponement of the sentencing to allow for legal arguments regarding the applicable laws at the time of the offenses in 2013 and 2015. Ward received a non-parole period of three years and nine months, which will end on April 29, 2029.

During the sentencing hearing, the older of the two victims described the trauma he experienced, stating it left him feeling suicidal and led to years of depression and substance abuse. The younger victim expressed that the assault destroyed his trust and friendships, significantly impacting his life.

Judge Shead characterized Ward's actions as “deliberate and predatory.” She noted that the assaults occurred when Ward was in a position of power, having met both victims through his political role. The first incident involved an 18-year-old man at Ward's Shoalhaven home in February 2013, where Ward indecently assaulted him after providing alcohol. The second incident occurred in 2015 when Ward raped a 24-year-old political staffer at his Potts Point apartment after a parliamentary event.

Ward's legal team argued for a lighter sentence, citing his visual impairment and the significant public fallout from his actions. They also indicated that he plans to appeal the convictions.

Judge Shead praised the victims for their courage in coming forward, stating, "Each of the victims suffered emotional and psychological harms at the hands of the offender, and the consequences of that harm have reverberated throughout their lives for more than a decade."

Ward had already spent three months in custody following his conviction by a jury after a nine-week trial. He resigned from parliament while in custody, just hours before a scheduled vote on his expulsion. His actions first came to light during his tenure as the minister for families, communities, and disability services, leading to his removal from the position in 2021 after police began investigating the allegations. Despite the charges, he was re-elected as an independent in 2023.

The maximum penalty for the charges against Ward was 14 years for sexual intercourse without consent and five years for the indecent assaults. The case highlights the serious consequences of abuse of power and the lasting impact on victims.