Former Australian MP Gareth Ward Sentenced Nearly Six Years for Sexual Abuse

Gareth Ward, a former Australian MP and state minister, has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for sexually abusing two young men over a decade ago, including rape and indecent assaults. The crimes occurred in 2013 and 2015, involving an 18-year-old and a 24-year-old political staffer, both of whom were intoxicated and vulnerable during the assaults. Judge Kara Shead described Ward's behavior as callous and predatory, emphasizing his exploitation of the victims' vulnerability and lack of consent. Despite Ward's legal blindness and lack of prior criminal record, the judge stated that imprisonment was the only appropriate penalty and rejected arguments for leniency due to media scrutiny or his political career consequences. Ward resigned from parliament just before an expulsion motion, having been re-elected as an independent in 2023 amid the allegations. The victims' emotional impact statements highlighted lasting trauma, with the court sending a strong message against sexual offenses by public figures.