Premier Chris Minns and former premier Dominic Perrottet both vowed during the campaign to move a new suspension to ensure Ward could not sit in the chamber if re-elected.
Ward,who has been the Kiama MP since 2011,is inching ahead of Labor challenger Katelin McInerney on first preferences in the South Coast seat,and is expected to claim victory after initially slipping behind in the count over the weekend.
Minns on Tuesday ruled out negotiating with Ward if Labor is in minority government and needs to rely on crossbench support. But the new premier would not be drawn further on his intentions if the MP is successfully returned to parliament.
“We’re not going to negotiate with him at all,” Minns said. “I want to wait and see what the outcome of the ballot is. We’re still very hopeful and I think in the commanding position to win that seat. I think that will be good for the parliament.”
Ward pleaded not guilty in the Local Court in August and was committed to stand trial in the District Court,where he was formally arraigned on Tuesday on one count of sexual intercourse without consent,three counts of indecent assault,and an alternative count of common assault.
Twomey said Ward’s suspension last year was done under different circumstances and at a time when voters could not cast their own judgment on the MP.