A Liberal Party state director could be called to give evidence as a witness at MP Gareth Ward‘s rape trial.
The 44-year-old member for the NSW seat of Kiama is due to face a jury trial in late May on five charges, including sexual intercourse without consent.
He has pleaded not guilty to each count, which related to alleged incidents in 2013 and 2015.
The District Court was told today the long-time head of the party’s organisational wing in NSW, Chris Stone, might be required to enter the witness box to give evidence.
Stone has been heavily involved in the party’s campaigns since 2008.
The court was not told what his evidence would cover.
Ward has held the Kiama electorate since 2011, winning three elections under the Liberal banner and the 2023 poll as an independent.
He was charged in 2022 over alleged indecent assaults of a 17-year-old at his South Coast home in 2013 and a claim of non-consensual sexual intercourse with a man in his 20s in inner Sydney two years later.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
