Part 5/8:
Ward’s legal situation is set to advance further as he faces sentencing next month, with plans to appeal the conviction as an ordinary citizen, separate from his parliamentary role. This separation underscores the tension between legal proceedings and political status—an issue at the heart of this historic case.
A Century of Norms Challenged
This scenario raises fundamental questions about the separation of powers, the authority of courts versus Parliament, and the democratic process. Notably, Gareth Ward’s potential expulsion marks the first time since 1917 that an MP faces removal from the lower house of NSW Parliament. This nearly 108-year gap highlights the rarity and significance of such an event.