Top silk called in as fate of Minns staff threatened with arrest remains undecided
NSW Legislative Council President Ben Franklin will meet with top barrister Bret Walker SC on Tuesday morning as he contemplates inquiry chair and independent MP Rod Roberts' request to seek arrest warrants for the staffers, including NSW Premier Chris Minns' chief of staff.
Police allege the incident, which Minns described at the time as an act of terror that could have caused mass casualties, was the work of organised crime figures who allegedly orchestrated several antisemitic attacks across Sydney in a plot to gain leverage over police.
Minns later revealed he had been briefed of the possible involvement of organised crime. The upper house inquiry is probing who knew what and when, and if the government raced to push the hate-laws through under false pretences.
Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley were asked to appear before the inquiry, but because they are lower house MPs, they are not obliged and cannot be compelled to front the upper house.
The committee then called the five staffers, which include Minns and Catley's chiefs of staff and senior advisers. When the staffers refused to appear at the inquiry, Roberts asked Franklin late on Friday to seek an arrest warrant.
Esteemed constitutional expert Anne Twomey AO has posted a YouTube video about the subject, saying compelling lower house staffers to appear at an upper house inquiry and threatening them with arrest could be interpreted as breaching the legal principle that the two houses of parliament should respect each other and not 'act coercively against each other'.
Her opinions drew the ire of MP Mark Latham, a long-time critic of the hate-laws in question, who used two YouTube accounts to criticise Twomey for her 'jaundiced and ill-informed contribution' in a spate of angry comments.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Ridiculous': Premier demands disgraced MP's resignation
NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday. NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday. NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday. NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Disgraced abuser MP to face parliamentary ouster
A parliamentary push could begin within weeks to remove a disgraced state MP after his conviction for sexually abusing two young men. NSW Premier Chris Minns said it would be "ridiculous" for independent MP Gareth Ward to be allowed to continue serving the state after he was found guilty of the crimes. He called on the representative for the south coast seat of Kiama to immediately resign but added he had received legal advice that the former Liberal could be expelled from parliament if required. "It is completely ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns told reporters on Monday. "This is just an untenable situation." The "integrity" of the oldest parliament in Australia needed to be protected, the premier added, and action should be taken "as soon as possible" when parliament returned in early August. "Many voters will say, are you really suggesting that someone who's been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament, even if they're in jail," Mr Minns said. Under the NSW constitution, state MPs will have their seat vacated if convicted of offences punishable with a term of more than five years' imprisonment. The most serious charge for which Ward was found guilty carries a maximum 14-year jail term, but he still has the ability to appeal his convictions. He was accused of inviting a drunk 18-year-old man - whom he met a year prior - to his South Coast home in February 2013. The man told a jury that Ward, then a first-term Liberal MP, plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night despite his attempts to resist. Two years later, Ward sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after a mid-week event at NSW Parliament House. The man, who was 24 at the time, said Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying "no". The coalition also condemned the conduct of the former minister for families, communities and community services, suggesting they would back any move to drive him out of parliament. "There is no way he can effectively represent his constituents," Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said. "If the power is there to expel Mr Ward he should be expelled." Ward has held the Kiama electorate since 2011, winning three elections under the Liberal banner before securing the seat at the 2023 poll as an independent. He remains on bail under strict conditions ahead of a detention application due to be heard in court on Wednesday. He is yet to be sentenced. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pro-Palestine demonstration across Sydney Harbour Bridge to be blocked
NSW Premier Chris Minns says his government will not support pro-Palestinian protesters crossing the Harbour Bridge on Sunday, saying he 'cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos' and police would work with organisers to find an alternative route. Palestine Action Group applied to NSW Police to march over what it described as 'Australia's most iconic symbol' on Sunday afternoon as part of a demonstration against starvation in Gaza. In a statement on Monday, Minns said his government would not support a 'protest of this scale' taking place on the Harbour Bridge with only one week's notice. 'The bridge is one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in our city – used every day by thousands of people. Unplanned disruption risks not only significant inconvenience, but real public safety concerns,' he said. 'We cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos. NSW Police are in discussions with organisers about other routes they can take and are working to ensure community safety is upheld.' PAG spokesperson Josh Lees said: 'The premier warns of chaos, but there is nothing chaotic about people marching for peace, to stop mass starvation. We call on the NSW authorities to work with us to plan this event and stand on the right side of history. 'If the premier says we need more time to plan such an event, then would he agree to support the March for Humanity a week later?' A spokeswoman for NSW Police said the Form 1 application had been received by Sydney City Police Area Command and officers were consulting the relevant stakeholders.
