The incumbent Kiama MP Gareth Ward has pleaded not guilty to four sexual assault charges and one count of common assault during an appearance in the Nowra District Court today.
Mr Ward was summoned for the arraignment on Monday after district court judge Christopher O'Brien asked for the matter to move forward.
The 41-year-old was calm as he pleaded not guilty to each of the five charges as they were read out by the court officer.
He is charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with an act of indecency and one count of common assault.
Police allege Mr Ward assaulted a 17-year-old boy at Meroo Meadow near Nowra in 2013 and a 27-year-old man in Sydney in 2015.
Outside court, Mr Ward said he was "confident" in his defence.
"I believe in truth and justice and, secondly, I passionately believe in the presumption of innocence," he said.
"It's not an optional extra, it's a human right."
Seat of Kiama still undecided
Mr Ward's court appearance comes just days after the NSW election, with the seat of Kiama still undecided.
He has been the member for 12 years, and held the seat by a 12 per cent margin ahead of Saturday's poll.
The former Liberal MP is recontesting as an independent following his suspension from parliament last year.
The election result for that seat is unlikely to be clear until at least the end of this week.
