Gareth Ward MP’s hearing date has been postponed from today until 13 February, just weeks out from the 25 March State Election.

The hearing at the NSW District Court was supposed to have considered whether the charges against the Member for Kiama should be heard together or separately, as applied for by his defence team.

In March this year, he was charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault.

The charges follow an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad into the historic alleged sexual abuse of a man and teenage boy, and led to his being suspended from Parliament (Ward suspended from Parliament).

Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He has yet to confirm he will stand for the seat as an independent.

The Labor Party and The Greens have both declared their candidates, and preselection is still open for the local branch of the Liberal Party.