Ward, the outgoing MP for Kiama, earlier this week took action in the state’s supreme court in an attempt to remain in the lower house
The member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, who was convicted of rape and three counts of indecent assault involving two young men in 2013 and 2015 has resigned just before the New South Wales parliament was due to expel him.
The resignation automatically vacates his south coast seat and a by-election will be held. The seat was held by Ward for the Liberal party since 2011 until he was expelled from the party and ran as an independent in 2023.