“When it comes to elections,the people always get it right,” the Liberal-turned-independent MP said on Wednesday.
Leading constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey says suspending independent MP Gareth Ward from NSW parliament could be seen as defying the wishes of voters.
The premier made a tour of three southern electorates,Kiama,South Coast and Goulburn ... and at one point lost track of where exactly he was.
Dumped NSW Liberal MP for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons has nominated to be the party’s candidate for Kiama less than a day before nominations close.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s tilt presents a challenge for the Perrottet government,which is yet to finalise a Liberal candidate for Kiama less than 48 hours before nominations officially close.
The former Liberal Party minister will contest the election as he prepares to fight historical sexual assault charges.
The Liberal Party is yet to name a candidate for the south coast electorate,attracting criticism from NSW Labor leader Chris Minns who named his party’s candidate in August.
The government needs all the support it can get.
The Kiama MP has pleaded not guilty to five charges which police allege date back to 2013. On Friday,he was committed to stand trial in the NSW District Court.
The NSW government has been advised Ward should continue to receive his salary and other entitlements despite being suspended after being charged with sexual assault.
The NSW government is looking to introduce legislation to stop Gareth Ward from receiving his taxpayer-funded salary while suspended from parliament.