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Ward says he will leave the Liberal party room while police investigate and he denies ‘any wrongdoing’

NSW MP under investigation for sexual violence allegation Share 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 whil...

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...

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 paym...

The NSW Families Minister has stood down after confirming he is under investigation by child abuse detectives over violent sex offences that allegedly occurred in 2013. Minister for Families, Gareth Ward, released a statement confirming he'd stepped aside but denied any wrong doing.  'Today I have been made aware by a journalist of an investigation into me by NSW Police,' he said on Thursday evening. 'I have not been contacted by Police in relation to any allegations. I deny any wrongdoing. 'Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as Minister. I will als...