Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s defence lawyer on Tuesday raised questions about the complainant applying for a job with the politician after he had allegedly sexually assaulted the man.

Ward is facing five charges and has pleaded not guilty to each of them: sexual intercourse without consent, common assault and three counts of indecent assault.

His barrister, David Campbell SC, questioned the complainant under cross-examination in the Downing Centre District Court over a job application which was sent years after a 2015 incident in which the man alleged he was sexually assaulted by Ward at Potts Point in Sydney’s east.

Campbell read the letter of application for the job in which the younger political staffer wrote “I would have no hard feelings should you be unable to find a role for me”.

It also contained: “Your friendship means the world to me and my respect for you is already as high as it can be.”

Under cross examination, Campbell put it to the complainant that this did not sound like a description of “a man whom you allege sexually violated you” or that he was fearful of Ward.

The complainant responded by saying when he applies for a job, “sometimes I overcompensate”.

He was also asked whether he had told colleagues that Ward was creepy and that “Gladys has chosen a rapist as a minister in her Cabinet” in 2019 when the NSW Premier at the time, Gladys Berejiklian, had chosen Ward as a Minister.

His response was that he did not recall the conversation in great detail.

Another man, who had just turned 18 at the time of an alleged incident in 2013, has also accused Ward of an indecent assault at the Kiama MP’s Meroo Meadow property in the Shoalhaven.

The second week of the trial before Judge Kara Shead has been adjourned for the rest of the week and will resume on Tuesday.

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