The Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, says he is yet to decide whether to stand in next year’s State Election.

“I haven’t given it any thought because it is such a long time away,” he says.

“I am busy focusing on my job as the local member and I haven’t even considered it.”

Despite the election being over seven months away, Labor leader Chris Minns came to Kiama to announced local branch President, Kaitlin McInnerney, as their candidate for the seat [Labor announces candidate for State Election].

Several references were made to Mr Ward being unable to enter Parliament, following his suspension from Parliament after he was charged with three counts of indecent assault, one count of sexual intercourse without consent, and one count of common assault.

Mr Ward says he is innocent of the charges, which involve a 17 year old boy in 2013 and a 27 year old man in 2015. The suspension will remain until criminal proceedings are finalised. He will next appear in Nowra Local Court on Friday, 19 August.

“My views haven’t changed that they [the charges] are politically motivated and have been done to damage me. There is no substance to them and I will defeat them in court,” he says.

Whether or not he stands again, having held the seat since 2012, Mr Ward is keen to defend his record.

“The Opposition Leader came to town and they didn’t offer a single new proposal or commitment for our area,” says Mr Ward.

“I am not going to be judged based on insults. I will be judged based on results.

“I am absolutely proud of my record and I will be judged on that by anyone any day of the week.

“When it comes to getting things done for my community, I don’t know any local member of parliament, state or federal, that has ever delivered as much as I have, and I will absolutely stand on my record as the local MP.”

He is not a member of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and promotes himself as an independent, but declines to say whether he is still a member of the Liberal Party.

On the weekend the State Liberal Party said they will open nominations for seats within a fortnight, including Kiama.