Former NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon found guilty of raping 13-year-old boy

A jury in the New South Wales Supreme Court has found former Liberal MP Rory Amon guilty of raping a 13-year-old boy. The 37-year-old politician, who had previously served on the Northern Beaches council before his 2023 election to the state seat of Pittwater, faces the potential for a significant prison sentence following the verdict. While many former NSW Liberal premiers have shaped the state's political landscape, the legal proceedings against Amon have drawn intense scrutiny to the party's recent history.

The conviction comes after approximately four hours of jury deliberation this past Friday. Amon was found guilty of one count of sexual intercourse with a person aged between 10 and 14, as well as one count of indecently assaulting a child. This trial marked the second time the case reached the supreme court; an earlier jury had acquitted Amon of eight other charges in March but failed to reach a verdict on the two counts that led to this week's conviction.

Former NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon faces a significant jail term after being convicted of child rape.

During the legal proceedings, the court heard that the charges stemmed from interactions the former MP had with a 13-year-old boy he met on an adults-only website. Testimony revealed that the youth had provided a false age when registering on a gay hook-up app. The two parties eventually exchanged explicit images, which led to a meeting in the carpark of the boy’s apartment block in 2017. Throughout the trial, Amon maintained his innocence, arguing that he held an honest and reasonable belief that the minor was over the age of 16.

Amon’s political career was cut short by these allegations, resulting in his expulsion from the Liberal party and his subsequent resignation shortly after his election in March 2023. His departure from the seat of Pittwater ultimately led to a byelection loss for the Liberal party to a teal independent. Amon remains on bail and is scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing on November 27.

A pattern of misconduct

Amon is the third former NSW MP to be convicted of sexual offences in recent years. Former Coalition minister Gareth Ward was jailed in 2025 for the sexual abuse of two young men, and former Labor minister Milton Orkopoulos was found guilty in 2023 of sexually abusing four underage boys over a decade. Support for those impacted by these events is available through Full Stop Australia at 1800 385 578.

Why it matters

The conviction of a sitting politician for child sexual abuse highlights significant failures in vetting and conduct standards within the state's political institutions. This case has broader implications for public trust in elected officials and the integrity of the political process.

For international observers, including those in India and South Asia, the case underscores the global challenges surrounding digital safety and the exploitation of minors on social platforms. It serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences for those who use online anonymity to engage in criminal behavior.