Kiama will head to the polls next month after NSW Parliament Speaker Greg Piper announced on Tuesday that 13 September had been chosen as the date for the by-election.

The NSW Government is looking to have a new state member installed as quickly as possible after Independent MP Gareth Ward has resigned in disgrace at the last minute on Friday.

“Subsequent upon receipt of the resignation of Gareth Ward, I wish to announce that a by-election for the vacant seat of Kiama will be held on Saturday 13 September 2025,” Piper said.

“Consequent to advice received from the NSW Electoral Commission and consultation with relevant stakeholders, I informed the Electoral Commissioner Ms Rachel McCallum of my intention to issue the writ on 22 August 2025 for a by-election to be held on Saturday 13 September 2025 in the seat of Kiama."

Nominations for the ballot will open on Friday, 22 August and close the following Thursday (28 August) at midday.

Early voting will open Saturday, 6 September.

Ward was about to become the first NSW Member of the Legislative Assembly to be punted from Parliament due to misconduct since 1917 before he submitted his resignation to Piper less than an hour before he was due to be expelled.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed that Labor would field a candidate with Katelin McInerney, who narrowly lost to Ward at the last election following a swing of more than 11% against him, the frontrunner for pre-selection.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman announced on Monday that the Liberal Party would be contesting the by-election and after calling for candidates to step forward, they closed the nomination period at midday on Tuesday.

It is understood that Melanie Gibbons, who received just 12% of the primary vote at the last election as the Liberal candidate, will not be standing again.

Former Shoalhaven Councillor Serena Copley is considered the preferred choice this time around for the Liberals with Kiama Councillor Mike Cains announcing he would not be throwing his hat into the ring.

“Naturally, many have asked if I would be putting my hand up to nominate,” he posted on social media.

“After much thought, I’ve decided that, at this busy juncture of my life, the most sensible thing to do is sit this one out.”

Cains threw his support behind Copley as someone who “has always worked tirelessly for our region”.

“I’ll be assisting her in any way I can.”

Another former Shoalhaven Councillor, Paul Ell, also opted against contesting the vacancy for the Liberals.

“While I do appreciate the strong encouragement from members of our community, I have decided that I will not be nominating to be the Liberal candidate,” he posted on social media.

“I am deeply appreciative and humbled by the support I have received. I certainly do hope that there will be another opportunity for me to stand for elected office in the future, however, now is not that time.”

Berry businesswoman Kate Dezarnaulds, who contested the federal seat of Gilmore earlier this year, is set to run as a Community Independent candidate.

It appeared Member of the Legislative Council Wes Fang, who is the Deputy Opposition Whip, was set to be parachuted into the Kiama electorate as the National Party’s candidate but they have decided to not contest the seat, clearing the way for the Liberals to attract the lion's share of the conservative vote.

The Greens posted on social media on Monday night with a message to “watch this space for information on the upcoming By-Election for the seat of Kiama”.

Former Shoalhaven Councillor Tonia Gray, who received 11.1% of the primary vote last time, appears likely to be The Greens’ candidate again.

Ward remains in custody in jail in the Hunter after being found guilty late last month of four sexual assault offences.

He had ignored ongoing calls from Minns and Speakman to resign and there has been widespread anger in the general public over the fact that he has continued to receive his parliamentary salary while in prison.

His only public comment since his conviction was a statement on 1 August in which he said he has “provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity”.

He was charged by police three years ago after complaints against Ward from a man, aged 24 at the time, over an incident at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago.

Ward was also found guilty of indecently assaulting a recently turned 18-year-old at the politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.