Former NSW Labor minister and convicted child sex offender Milton Orkopoulos still poses a "significant risk" to the safety of the community, according to lawyers for the State of NSW.
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But his lawyers, the Serious Offenders Review Council (SORC) and Community Corrections all recommend he be released on supervised parole with conditions.
The 62-year-old appeared via video link on Friday before the State Parole Authority, which will hand down its decision on his third and latest bid for parole on December 6.
Orkopoulos - who was the NSW Aboriginal affairs minister when he was arrested in 2006 - was later convicted of dozens of offences including supplying cannabis and heroin and sexual intercourse with a male between 10 and 18 years.
He was jailed for 13 years and eight months, with a non-parole period of nine years.
His earliest release date was May 18, 2017, while his total term will expire on October 18, 2021.
In the state's written submissions opposing the granting of parole, James Emmett said Orkopoulos would continue to pose a significant risk to the safety of the community upon release.
Three of his five prison misconduct charges related to his failing a prescribed drug test, the latest being in February when the drug buprenorphine was found in his urine.
"Noting the integral role that the offender's substance abuse played in his offending, it is of further concern that the offender relatively recently reverted to non-prescribed drug use in custody to manage his emotions and stress," Mr Emmett said.
But, he submitted, Orkopoulos should be subject to electronic monitoring if parole was granted.
SORC said if Orkopoulos had to serve his entire sentence in custody, he would be released without any supervision or conditions.
"That outcome is the worst for the protection of the public," its report said.
The Community Corrections report said Orkopoulos could be managed safely in the community, where his conditions would include electronic monitoring and complying with ongoing treatment programs.
His lawyer, Omar Juweinat, told Friday's brief hearing that his client's release would be in the interest of both Orkopoulos and the public.
"This is an applicant who has been able to demonstrate a great deal of rehabilitation while in a custodial setting," he said.
It would be undesirable to keep him in jail for his whole sentence without granting parole, as on his release he would then not be subject to any supervision or conditions, he said.
Australian Associated Press
