In the race to replace Ward in Kiama, there’s one thing everyone agrees on

Premier Chris Minns and Liberal Leader Mark Speakman are in furious agreement about one thing: both have claimed the underdog status in the race to claim the seat of Kiama after the conviction of former MP Gareth Ward.

Liberal and Labor are both framing a Kiama win as an almost insurmountable task – Premier Chris Minns said he was “nervous” going in and would fight for every vote.

“It feels like Everest,” he said in Kiama on Thursday.

Labor’s Katelin McInerney, a former journalist and lifelong local, went up against Gareth Ward in 2023 and came close to victory, with 49.2 per cent of the vote after preferences. Minns described the would-be MP as having a “big heart”, and different from other politicians who are “belligerent or incredibly tough on their opponents”.

The Liberal candidate is expected to be announced on Friday and former Shoalhaven councillor Serena Copley is considered the frontrunner. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman previously said he “wasn’t afraid of a fight” in Kiama, but qualified that it would be an uphill battle.

“It will be an incredible task to win this byelection,” he said.

Labor last won the seat in 2007, and Matt Brown held the seat until 2011. Ward easily defeated Brown after the former police minister was accused of unsavory conduct at a budget-night party.

Since then, the people of Kiama have re-elected Ward at every election.

Ward’s popularity as a fighter for locals and small business was so great that he was returned to parliament in 2023 – even as sexual assault charges hung over him. Ward was found guilty of sex offences in July and is in remand awaiting sentencing; he resigned from parliament last week.

Tonia Gray is a favourite to run for The Greens, and Berry businesswoman Kate Dezarnaulds has put her hand up to run as a community independent, making it almost certain a woman will replace Ward.

“I think that Kiama is crying out for a fresh start after a pretty torrid period,” Dezarnaulds said.

Her pitch to voters who may be hesitant to vote independent again is to “try before you buy” ahead of another state election in 18 months.

If the people of Kiama have buyer’s remorse after sticking by Ward, not many are willing to admit it. When the Herald visited on Thursday, few locals would speak openly about their former MP, let alone admit voting for him.

Bombo Clothing Co store manager Sarah Atkins said she’s undecided – but will be looking for commitments for small businesses and a housing policy “respectful to the local environment”. Atkins said it was “absolutely ridiculous” that the people of Kiama were left unrepresented while Ward is behind bars.

“We are known for so much more than Gareth Ward … I think this has really taken the spotlight off our great tourism, our great shopping, our beautiful beaches, our beautiful coastal walks, our gorgeous restaurants and our small businesses that have probably done it tough enough in a quiet winter without having this kind of thing overshadow it,” Atkins said.

Stocked Cafe and Grocer owner Hannah Foreman said the electorate was desperate for stable leadership after the Ward controversy. She’s also undecided.

Many in the community feel hurt and betrayed after sticking by Ward for so long, Foreman said.

“It is definitely time for change and I think there’s a lot of interesting candidates, and the potential of a woman coming in could be really good for the town,” she said.

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