Magistrate Lisa Viney committed the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, to stand trial for five charges of historical sexual violence when he appeared by video link at a committal hearing in Nowra Court this morning.

The charges - three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault - were laid in March, following an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad into the historic alleged sexual abuse of a 27 year old man in Sydney in September 2015 and a 17 year old boy in Meroo Meadow in February 2013.

Mr Ward has strongly denied the charges.

A trial date will be set on 14 September.