Gareth Ward’s suspension from NSW Parliament meant he was unable to participate in or vote against a motion by the Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson - on the last sitting day before the 25 March election - but his comments on the matter have been labelled “demeaning and offensive” by the Opposition and have disappointed former Mayor Sandra McCarthy.

The motion, which was passed due to the Government’s minority status, bemoaned the state of playing field infrastructure in the Shellharbour electorate, blaming pork barrelling to marginal Liberal electorates like Kiama.

“For 12 long years the people of Shellharbour have been denied access to amenities buildings and sporting fields that are up to the standard experienced by communities in Liberal‑held electorates such as Kiama,” said Ms Watson.

“Before this Government suspended the member for Kiama from the Liberal Party and the Parliament, he often boasted how he was able to secure funding for gold-plated infrastructure due to nothing more than his Liberal Party membership. It is not so easy for the member for Kiama to secure this type of funding now, is it? It is much tougher as an Independent. Maybe a preference deal might help?”

This dig led to a strong reaction from Mr Ward, who issued a press statement entitled, ‘Whinging Watson uses Parliament for sporting sook-a-thon over her record of failure’.

Accusing her of an own goal because she highlighted her lack of success in getting funding for her electorate, Mr Ward said, ““The Member for Shellharbour spent much her speech (and her Parliamentary career) obsessing about what I’ve done for my electorate, like a jealous little brat with a face to match.”

He later said, “If only the people of Shellharbour had a local MP who actually knew how to work with all sides and deliver for her community. Sadly, they have a local MP who makes my Spoodle puppy look like a tower of courage and emotional strength.”

Gareth Ward

A joint statement from Ryan Park, Member for Keira, Paul Scully, Member for Wollongong and Kaitlin McInerney, Labor candidate for Kiama said, “NSW Labor in no uncertain terms condemns the demeaning and offensive language used by Member for Kiama Gareth Ward when referencing the Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson, today.

“Mr Ward should immediately issue an apology and retraction.

“NSW Labor also call on the NSW Liberal and National Party – who continue to support the Member for Kiama like he’s a member of the NSW Government – to condemn the Members language and demonstrate a bipartisan commitment to lifting the standard of behaviour in NSW Politics.

“There is no place in NSW politics for this behaviour and it is incumbent upon all Members and all Parties to call it out.”

Anna Watson in Parliament earlier this year

Mr Ward stands by his statement, saying, “None of this would have happened if she hadn’t have attacked me. I was entitled to respond.

“She has frequently attacked me over the years in Parliament, including about my disability, so she has been a pretty nasty opponent.

“To give it prominence like this is ridiculous.”

Speaking generally, long time Kiama Mayor Sandra McCarthy is disappointed by the stoushes like these which detract from the issues.

“Parliamentarians shouldn’t be engaging in dialogue that is disrespectful or uses gender stereotypes and name calling. There are younger generations coming through that need to be able to look up to them.

“There are people doing it tough at the moment, with disaster and cost of living pressures, and it is disappointing to see the dialogue that has gone on.

“People miss out when the focus is on the behaviour not the issues.

“Just focus on the work, not yourselves.”