Milton Orkopoulos to serve balance of full jail term

The NSW State Parole Authority announced on Friday that Orkopoulos had declined to seek release, so the authority had formally denied parole.

It comes after the convicted child sex offender was granted early freedom in December, 2019, only to find himself returned to custody about two months later for breaching reporting conditions of the Child Protection Register by downloading a social media application.

Orkopoulos was jailed in 2008 after being convicted of 30 charges - including multiple counts of having sex with a male aged between 10 and 18 years old, indecent assault, supplying prohibited drugs and possessing child pornography.

The offences occurred between 1995 and 2006, including time he was an elected representative on Lake Macquarie City Council and in the NSW lower house as member for Swansea.

Orkopoulos is facing further charges levelled at him while in jail in relation to alleged historical child sex and drug supply offences allegedly committed between 1994 and 2001.

Those charges are due for mention again in Newcastle Local Court later this month.

The parole authority said in a statement on Friday that the 63-year-old would serve the remaining balance of his sentence of 13 years and eight months - meaning he will be released on October 18 this year.

"Offender Milton Orkopoulos has advised the State Parole Authority he is not seeking parole and will serve the balance of his parole in custody," the authority said.

"The SPA formally declined parole today [Friday], accepting also the advice of the Serious Offenders Review Council that release was not appropriate."

Orkopoulos spent four years on Lake Macquarie City Council and served in NSW Parliament for Labor between 1999 and 2006, including time as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship.

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