The Kiama by-election was triggered by the jailing of sitting indepedent MP Gareth Ward. Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS

Labor has claimed victory in a NSW seat vacated by a disgraced MP convicted of rape, nabbing it in a rare win for the government.

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The by-election in Kiama was held on Saturday to pick a replacement for former MP Gareth Ward, convicted of sexual and indecent assault in July.

Labor had held the seat for three decades from its re-establishment until the then-Liberal MP claimed it in 2011, putting the party in a good position to wrestle the electorate back.

Labor can

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