Former ACT politician to stand trial on grooming charges

The former Labor politician was formally charged with those additional offences today and pleaded not guilty, before being committed to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court. Mr Ramsay allowed to access encrypted messaging apps Police allege Mr Ramsay continually pushed the boundaries, first asking for photos with the boy clothed, and later asking him to take pictures of himself in his underwear. It is alleged that when the boy's parents mentioned going to the police, Mr Ramsay messaged the boy, suggesting they needed to delete the images. Mr Ramsay's lawyer, Michael Kukulies-Smith, today sought a variation to his bail conditions — agreed to by the prosecution — allowing him to access encrypted messaging applications, but only when under the supervision of police. Mr Ramsay was a Labor MLA between 2016 and 2020, and held several portfolios, including attorney-general and arts minister. Before politics, he worked as a lawyer in commercial and intellectual property, and later became a minister at the Uniting Church in Kippax, in Canberra's north-west. After he lost his seat in the Legislative Assembly six years ago, he became the chief executive of the Cultural Facilities Corporation — a role he was suspended from without pay when he was charged with the current offences. There will be a directions hearing for the case later this month.