Gareth Ward

Gareth James Ward MP (born 1981^{[citation needed]}), an Australian politician, is a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Kiama for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2011. Ward was a Councillor on Shoalhaven City Council from 2004 until 2012.^[1]

Early life

Ward was born in the Illawarra region and completed his schooling at Bomaderry High School. He holds degrees in Commerce and Arts from the University of Wollongong.^[2] From 2001 to 2006, Ward served on the Council of the Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association at the University. Ward was involved with the Australian Liberal Students Federation.

Local government career

On 27 March 2004, aged 22 years, Ward was elected to the Shoalhaven City Council as an independent Councillor representing the northern parts of Shoalhaven City. He was re-elected on 13 September 2008 and was appointed Deputy Mayor in the same month.^[3] Since his election, Ward has raised concerns about larger houses on smaller subdivisions. He has also taken a stance against a Labor New South Wales State Government tax on recreational divers and the lack of parking in the city of Nowra.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, Ward was involved in a dispute with former Shoalhaven City councillor, John Willmott. Willmott was accused of throwing a bowl of tomato sauce at Ward during a Council meeting. The two councillors had previously exchanged e-mails over new proposed building height codes in Ulladulla.^[3] Willmott is alleged to have called Ward a "little twerp". Ward responded by criticizing Willmott's spelling at the meeting. Despite a number of Councillors being present at the meeting, none were willing to make public comment about the incident. Ward subsequently called for Willmott to resign or undertake anger management counselling. Willmott did neither,^[4] but was not re-elected in the following election.

New South Wales political career

On 12 April 2010, Ward was preselected as the Liberal candidate for Kiama. It was reported that he gained preselection in a 20 to 12 vote against the previous candidate, Ann Sudmalis.^[5] At the 2011 state election, Ward was elected with a swing of 12.0 per cent and won the seat with 57.5 per cent of the vote on a two party preferred basis.^[6] Ward's main opponent was the incumbent sitting Labor member and former Minister, Matt Brown.

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