Nominations are now open to be the endorsed Liberal candidate for the State seat of Kiama at the election on 25 March 2023.

The seat is currently held by Gareth Ward, now an independent following his suspension from Parliament earlier this year after criminal charges were laid [Ward suspended from Parliament].

Kiama was one of 12 electoral districts opened for nominations today, but only in it and Drummoyne - the seat of another former New South Wales Liberal minister John Sidoti – are the nominations going to be open for more than a week. The closing date will be decided by the State Director.

Mr Ward has yet to confirm his candidacy for the election, and says he is relaxed about the announcement.

“I welcome all people who choose to nominate for elected office. We live in a democracy and people have the right to stand under whatever banner or sets of policies they like, so it is not surprising that political parties would open nomination for the election.”

He continues to say he hasn’t given standing in the election any thought, despite recently changing all of his promotional material to teal.

“When I am ready to make some further comments about it, I will,” says Mr Ward.

The President of the Kiama Branch of the Liberal Party, Michael Cains, says, “The Liberal Party have a proven record of delivery and representation throughout Kiama and surrounding areas at all levels of government. It’s natural that we would seek to endorse a strong local candidate to support the return of the Perrottet Government.”

The Labor Party endorsed Kaitlin McInerney as their candidate in August, signalling the start of a long campaign [Labor announces candidate for State Election].

Mr Ward won the seat from Labor in 2011 and has held it since then.