Gareth Ward

For the New Zealand magician and author, see Gareth Ward (author).

Gareth Ward
MP
Ward in 2018
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Kiama
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 March 2011
Preceded byMatt Brown
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services
In office
2 April 2019 – 14 May 2021
Preceded byPru Goward (as Minister for Family and Community Services)
Ray Williams (as Minister for Disability Services)
Succeeded byAlister Henskens
Personal details
Born1981 (age 42–43)
Gerringong, New South Wales, Australia
Political party
ResidenceMeroo Meadow[1]
EducationBomaderry High School
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • Politician
Websitewww.garethwardmp.com.au

Gareth James Ward is an Australian politician who was the New South Wales Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services in the second Berejiklian ministry from 2019 to 2021.[2][3] Ward is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and has represented the seat of Kiama since 2011. He was suspended from NSW parliament in March 2022 until the end of that term in March 2023, after being charged with sexual intercourse without consent, and indecent assault.[4]

Ward was also previously the Parliamentary Secretary for Education, in addition to his role as the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast from 2017 until 2019. Previously, Ward was a councillor on Shoalhaven City Council from 2004 until 2012.[5]

Ward was born with albinism and is legally blind.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Candidates – The Legislative Assembly District of Kiama". Elections NSW. New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Government Notices (30)" (PDF). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 2 April 2019. p. 1088-1090. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  3. ^ Sas, Nick (31 March 2019). "Gladys Berejiklian says Liberal Party has no women problem as re-elected NSW Premier shuffles Cabinet". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  4. ^ Ferri, Lauren (28 March 2023). "Gareth Ward to stand trial over charges of sexual intercourse without consent, assault". News.com.au.
  5. ^ "The Hon. Gareth James WARD, BA, BCom, LLB, GradDipLegPrac, JP MP". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  6. ^ Ward, Gareth (3 April 2019). "You too can climb high: A message to young people just like me". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. ^ Huntsdale, Justin (18 June 2015). "Albinism no barrier to success: Kiama MP Gareth Ward". ABC Illawarra. Retrieved 3 April 2019.