A former Nationals MP who was jailed for sexually abusing a young girl has been released from prison as he appeals his conviction.

James Hayward was found guilty by the District Court last year of getting the young girl to indecently touch him on two occasions.

She was aged six or seven at the time.

He was sentenced to almost three years in jail for two counts of indecently dealing with a child under 13 years.

After just over a year behind bars, Hayward confirmed to the ABC he had been released and was living in the South West city of Bunbury as he fights the conviction.

He was granted bail from the Court of Appeal earlier this month on the condition that he pay a $30,000 personal undertaking and $30,000 surety.

Hayward claimed he had a "strongly arguable case".

Court documents show the appeal already argued before the Supreme Court suggested the jury's verdict was unreasonable and the judge failed to exclude evidence obtained unfairly during a pre-trial hearing in February last year.

The same documents also showed Hayward didn't have legal representation for the case, but had intended to apply for legal aid.

His case will be before the court again in December.