NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services
Gareth Ward has outed himself as the MP under police investigation over allegations of sexual violence.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ward said he denies any wrongdoing but will stand aside as Minister and from the Liberal Party room.
“Today I have been made aware by a journalist of an investigation into me by NSW Police,” Ward said.
“I have not been contacted by police in relation to any allegations.
“Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as Minister. I will also remove myself from the Liberal Party room.
NSW MP under investigation for sexual violence allegation
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NSW Liberal MP Gareth Ward has moved to the crossbench as police investigate a sexual violence allegation against him.
The Families Minister denied any wrongdoing on Thursday and said he had not been contacted by police.
State Premier Gladys Berejiklian supported Mr Ward’s decision to step down and drop his ministerial portfolio.
She confirmed she was only made aware of the allegations by media reports.
“I have subsequently received advice from [Mr] Ward of his decision to step aside as minister and sit on the crossbench while there is speculation about his future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she too was made aware of the allegations by the media on Thursday. I have subsequently received advice from Minister Gareth Ward of his decision to step aside as minister and sit on the crossbench while there is speculation about his future, she said in a statement. I support his decision.
Attorney General Mark Speakman will take on Mr Ward s portfolio responsibilities, which also include communities and disability services.
Mr Ward was elected to parliament in 2011 and promoted to the coalition ministry in 2019.
His move to the crossbench plunges the Berejiklian government further into minority.
REPRESENTATIVE OF HOUSES
Anthony Albanese has pledged $10 billion in his budget reply speech for a housing future fund aimed at delivering 20,000 social housing properties across its first five years, with the ABC explaining about 10,000 houses would be set aside for frontline workers and another 4000 for women and families escaping domestic violence.
Returns from the fund would go towards maintaining homes in remote Indigenous communities, crisis accommodation, and specialist services for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Albanese further pledged $100 million over four years for cash payments to 10,000 apprentices working in “new energy” areas such as rooftop solar, energy efficiency upgrades and green hydrogen, and to criminalise wage theft, arguing the Coalition had behaved “like an eight-year-old child” who “threw a tantrum” by dumping wage theft provisions in its industrial relations package earlier this year.