Labor claim victory in Kiama by-election after rapist MP Gareth Ward’s shock exit

Labor’s Katelin McInerney is likely to succeed disgraced long-time Kiama MP Gareth Ward after the party claimed victory in a contentious by-election that could spell trouble for NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman.

Labor officially called the vote shortly before 8pm on Saturday night.

It is the first time in almost 30 years that a sitting government has won a by-election in NSW.

In a statement, Premier Chris Minns described the result as “an invitation to work even harder for the entire state”.

“I want to make clear, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but our whole Labor team knows there’s still a lot more work ahead,” he said.

“I want to thank the people of Kiama for putting their trust in Labor. We do not take that trust for granted.

“We promised if Katelin was elected, the people of Kiama would have a strong local voice inside government, fighting for better schools, better hospitals, and the infrastructure the community deserves.

“Kiama now has that voice inside government, and I know Katelin will be a fierce advocate for her community.”

Mr Minns acknowledged the “strong vote” for minor parties and independents, sand said Labor took “seriously the message from voters that we need to do better”.

Ms McInerney was leading Liberal candidate Serena Copley 62 per cent to 37 per cent on the two-party preferred vote by 8.15PM, with counting underway in all but one booth.

The ABC reported Ms Copley conceded defeat alongside Ms Peakman.

Party faithful gathered at Albion Park and were awaiting the arrival of Ms McInerney.

Mr Speakman had sought to distance himself from questions over his leadership of the Coalition if the Liberals were unable to secure the sought-after NSW south coast seat.

The party previously held the seat from 2011 with Ward’s election, before he stood in the 2023 ballot as an independent. Prior to that, Labor had held the seat since 1981.

Labor will likely now hold all NSW south coast seats, from the northern Illawarra south of Sydney all the way to the Victorian border, and will increase its footprint in the lower house.

NSW Premier Chris Minns admitted on Saturday he had been nervous about the vote in which he – and the Opposition – had sought to cast their candidate as the “underdog”.

Asked about the vote on Saturday morning, the Premier said he wasn’t “taking anything for granted” and admitted he was nervous.

“But, I sort of throw myself down on the idea that we’ve got a great candidate who’s run a really strong campaign,” he said.

“I love when we run positive campaigns. Labor doesn’t always do that.”

Mr Minns earlier said Labor would deliver on its commitments whether or not it secured Kiama on Saturday.

Both the Greens and independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds indicated they believed Labor would be victorious.

Labor candidate Katelin McInerney narrowly lost to Ward in 2023.

Mr Minns said on Saturday there was something “humbling” about candidates who did not win standing again.

“They’re humble, they’re hungry,” he said.

“They understand that the voters make the decisions and put your (Ms McInerney) hand up again after a defeat and do it in such a gracious, positive, optimistic way.”

Ms McInerney singled out completion of the Tripoli Way extension, upgrades to Bomaderry High School, and Calderwood Public School during the campaign.

13 candidates vying for Kiama seat

Ms McInerney is facing off against Liberal candidate, Shoalhaven councillor Serena Copley.

Ms Copley was supported on Saturday by Liberal MPs, including leader Mark Speakman, Senator Jess Collins, and MLC Scott Farlow.

She said the “overwhelming message the people of Kiama have felt very forgotten”.

“What I’m hearing is that Labor is only interested in the Kiama electorate because there’s a by-election,” she said.

For his part, Mr Speakman rebuffed questions on Friday that he could face a leadership spill if the Liberals are not successful in Kiama.

“I sleep comfortably every night for my own personal well being,” he said when asked if he was concerned about a leadership spill.

“My focus as opposition leader is to fight for the people of NSW. That’s what I’ve been elected to do. That’s my responsibility, that’s my duty. That’s my passion.”

Labor and the Liberals face a crowded assortment of 11 other candidates, including the Greens’ Dr Tonia Gray and Ms Dezarnaulds.

The former Climate 200-backed independent on Friday conceded there was “no doubt” Labor would win in Kiama.

“That’s going to mean that we have wall-to-wall Labor at a federal and state level south of Sydney,” she said.

“I don’t think that’s great for democracy, and I don’t think that that’s a reflection of the voters’ intentions on the ground.”

Suspended Snowy Monaro Regional councillor Andrew Thaler is also contesting Kiama, having gatecrashed Mr Speakman’s Friday press conference.

Candidates for the NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and the Legalise Cannabis Party are also contesting the seat.

Vacuum left by long-time MP

The vote was triggered by last-minute resignation of Gareth Ward, hours before a motion was due to be debated to have him expelled from parliament.

Ward was convicted of assaulting two younger men earlier this year, having won re-election before the trial got underway.

The 44-year-old was first elected as Kiama MP in 2011 and served as Liberal Families Minister from 2019-2021.

He later stood as an independent in 2023.

Ward is currently in custody on remand while awaiting sentencing next week.

His house in Meroo Meadows, north of Bomaderry, was listed for sale last month and currently sits empty.