The former Families and Communities minister was suspended from parliament last year after he was charged with historical sexual assault,which he denies. He was also suspended from the Liberal Party and sat on the crossbench until forced out of the parliament.
Ward,who has been the Kiama MP since 2011,beat Labor challenger Katelin McInerney on first preferences in the South Coast seat,after initially slipping behind in the count over the weekend.
Minns earlier this week ruled out negotiating with Ward in minority government. However,the government is now considering referring Ward to the privileges committee rather than pursuing a suspension motion.
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The committee considers and reports on matters which relate to privilege as well as parliamentary ethical standards,including reviewing the MPs’ code of conduct.
Minns has been reluctant to weigh into the Ward issue since his victory on Saturday,insisting that he was mindful that a court case was underway,and he wanted to avoid prejudicing the outcome.
Ward pleaded not guilty in the Local Court in August and was committed to stand trial in the District Court,where he was formally arraigned on Tuesday on one count of sexual intercourse without consent,three counts of indecent assault,and an alternative count of common assault.