Orkopoulos,the former NSW member for Swansea,is facing trial in Sydney’s Downing Centre accused of indecently and sexually assaulting four boys between the mid-1990s and early 2000s. He has pleaded not guilty.
Former Labor MP Jill Hall outside court and her successor Milton Orkopoulos (inset).Kate Geraghty/ Isabella Porros
His predecessor in the seat of Swansea,Jill Hall,was called to court to give evidence about a meeting she held between Orkopoulos and one of his young accusers two decades ago.
Hall told the court Orkopoulos wanted her to formally witness the boy,who was in early high school,signing a document.
“Milton brought[the boy and his mother] to my house with a document that my husband and I – we were justices of the peace at the time – he wanted us to witness[the boy’s] signature,” Hall told the court on Wednesday.
“It was Milton who requested we witness the signature.”
Former NSW and federal MP Jill Hall arrives at Sydney Downing Centre to give evidence.Kate Geraghty
Hall told the court she could still picture everyone sitting around the oval table in her Belmont home:herself,her husband,the boy,his mother,and Orkopoulos standing behind the boy.
“Milton stood up and put the document in front of[the boy] and said ‘he wants his signature witnessed’,” Hall said.
“[The boy] signed the document,and I think my husband may have JP-ed the document.”
Hall,under questioning from prosecutors,told the court she did not read the document because she and her husband,who she believes signed the document,only acted as justices of the peace.
But,she said,she was made aware “that day or subsequently” by Orkopoulos that it was designed to withdraw the police complaint.
Hall said she knew the boy made an allegation to police that Orkopoulos had acted “inappropriately” with him.
“[Orkopoulos] said he[the boy] lodged a complaint relating to Milton behaving inappropriately with him,” she told the court.
Hall is not accused of any wrongdoing and has never been charged with any offence.
Milton Orkopoulos denies abusing four boys in the 1990s and 2000s.Isabella Porras
Orkopoulos began his political career as a councillor in Lake Macquarie City Council and worked in Hall’s electorate until she resigned in 1998.
Hall became the federal member for Shortland and Orkopoulos replaced her in the state seat in March 1999.
Crown prosecutor Cate Dodds last week opened the case by alleging Orkopoulos had an ongoing interest in underage boys.
“It’s the Crown case that this accused has a sexual interest in boys under the age of 18 years old,and he has a tendency to act on his sexual interest in an opportunistic manner by engaging in sexual acts with them and supplying them with drugs,” Dodds said.
Orkopoulos’ barrister said the former politician strenuously denied assaulting the boys or supplying them with drugs.
Orkopoulos served in the NSW Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2006 and was the minister for Aboriginal affairs.
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