NSW Speaker and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock says she thought Gareth Ward would return home after being caught up in a New York massage scam in which he was threatened with blackmail.
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Mr Ward made headlines around the world when it was revealed he had ordered a massage in his New York hotel room and confronted by two people claiming to be underage who demanded he withdrew cash and hand it over.
He was in New York on his way to a conference on people with disabilities in Canada.
Mrs Hancock said she had sent Mr Ward an SMS asking about his welfare.
“I think he’s OK. I did suggest he come home but he’s determined to carry on with the conference,” she said.
“I don’t see this as awkward. The media is making it awkward. There is no reason to believe he ordered anything but an ordinary massage and what happened is pretty gruesome.”
Mr Ward said his ordeal was frightening.
“I asked for a massage – but when it became clear more was on offer, I asked them to leave and then they became aggressive, demanding money,” he said in a text message.
“I reported the matter to police and the matter is subject to investigation.”
Mrs Hancock said Mr Ward’s side trip to New York – which he had paid for – had been approved in advance.
She said the episode was a reminder people needed to be vigilant when travelling, especially politicians.
“You always have to be careful living and surviving in other countries. We’re talking about New York City, where people are always trying to get your money,” she said.
“I always call myself his second mum. I am really concerned for his welfare. He is essentially there by himself.”
She said she hoped Mr Ward could put the episode behind him but conceded jokes about the incident would be told for some time to come.