Mr Ward is the member for Kiama and also the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra.

He was vocally opposed to the Kiama-Shoalhaven merger, and also spoke out against that which was proposed for Wollongong and Shellharbour.

Mr Ward on Thursday sent out a media release trumpeting the “important victory” of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils in standing alone.

There was no comment in the release about the Wollongong-Shellharbour merger, which was only halted because of legal action from Shellharbour Council.

Shadow minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park criticised Mr Ward for not stepping up to stop the Wollongong-Shellharbour merger.

“It’s quite clear that the Member for Kiama has just worried about his own electorate,” Mr Park said.

“That’s fine, I understand that - that has to be your priority. But Gareth Ward is paid more than anybody else to represent a region. He has a specific role within the government, a senior role within the government, and that is as a regional representative.

“He has simply failed in relation to this.”

Mr Park said the decision on Kiama smacked of “political motives” to protect Liberal members, and not the result of a community campaign.”

Mr Ward said he only found out Kiama would be spared at the party room meeting on Thursday.

“I’m smiling because the message we sent to the Government in relation to the Kiama and Shoalhaven merger has been heard loud and clear by the Premier,” he said.

“Once again I’ve taken on my own side of politics (in order) to get the best outcome for the people that put me into Parliament.”

Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said Mr Ward had “betrayed the rest of the Illawarra just to save his own career,” Ms Watson said.

Mr Ward said accusations of a political fix were an “insult” to the community campaign mounted in Kiama.

“I put forward the case as best as I could. The decision’s been taken, and I now will as parliamentary secretary work to make sure we get the best outcome for the region.” 

Mr Ward said if Mr Park felt strongly about mergers he should have written a submission as he had done.