Detectives have charged Kiama MP Gareth Ward with alleged sexual offences against a teenage boy and a man.
Ward, 40, attended Oak Flats Police Station about noon on Tuesday and was subsequently charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault.
Police will allege in court that he indecently assaulted a 17-year-old boy at Meroo Meadow, near Bomaderry, in February 2013, and sexually abused a 27-year-old man in Sydney in September 2015.
Mr Ward issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, in which he said he was "completely innocent of the charges brought against [him]".
"I will be instructing my lawyers to seek to bring this matter before the courts as quickly as possible and I look forward to demonstrating my innocence there," Mr Ward said.
"While others have already attempted to prosecute my case in the media rather than the courts, out of respect for our system of justice I will not be doing the same.
He was granted conditional bail and will front Port Kembla Local Court on May 18.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he had attempted to contact Mr Ward and ask for his immediate resignation from parliament.
"Should Mr Ward not resign, the government will move a motion to remove him from the Parliament," Mr Perrottet said in a statement.
"I have also written to the state director of the Liberal Party requesting that Mr Ward be suspended from the party pending the outcome of the criminal trial against him."
Mr Perrottet said that while Mr Ward was entitled to the presumption of innocence, "the standards expected of an elected Member of Parliament are not compatible with the seriousness of the charges he is facing".
"Mr Ward is entitled to defend himself against the serious charges against him but he must do that as a private citizen," the Premier said.
"The matter is now before the courts, and no further comment will be made."
Detectives from the State Crime Command's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Condello to investigate the allegations against Ward in May last year.
Mr Ward subsequently stepped down as the NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services.
He also withdrew from the Liberal Party room and moved to the crossbench.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
