James Hayward (politician)
James Hayward is an Australian former politician. Elected as a Nationals member of the Western Australian Legislative Council at the 2021 Western Australian state election, he resigned from the party on 3 December 2021 after being charged with child sex offences, and was ultimately disqualified on 28 August 2023 after being convicted. He was the first person since John Marquis Hopkins in 1910 to be removed in this way.
James Hayward | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council for South West | |
| In office 22 May 2021 – 28 August 2023 | |
| Succeeded by | Louise Kingston |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1969 or 1970 (age 54–55) Derby, Western Australia |
| Political party | Independent (2021–2023) National (2012–2021) |
| Occupation | Television producer |
From 19 April until 3 December 2021, he served as Shadow Minister for Local Government, Water and Regional Cities. In 2022, he served on a committee inquiring into cannabis and hemp.
On 28 August 2023, Hayward was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl. His conviction for a crime with a maximum sentence of at least five years in jail meant he was automatically disqualified from parliament. On 16 October 2023, Hayward was sentenced to two years and nine months jail, and must serve half of that before becoming eligible for parole.