Ward’s confirmed tilt presents a challenge for the Perrottet government,which is yet to finalise a Liberal candidate for Kiama less than 48 hours before nominations officially close.
Despite the looming deadline,the premier on Monday again repeated his claim that the Liberals would secure the electorate,denying that a Coalition government would have to face negotiations with Ward if they won the election.
“We’ll have a candidate in Kiama,and we’re going to win it,” Perrottet said.
Ward confirmed on Friday he wouldcontest the seat as an independentafter he had been suspended from parliament and forced to the crossbench over historical sexual assault charges which he strenuously denies. He is next scheduled to face court for a hearing on April 3.
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns on Monday pledged he would not do a deal with Ward in the case of a hung parliament,calling out the Liberal Party for failing to secure a candidate so close to polling day.
Minns also said Labor would not preference the independent MP in the election.