Following today’s decision by the Newcastle Local Court to release former Aboriginal Affairs Minister Milton Orkopoulos on bail Shadow Attorney General Greg Smith SC has demanded the Government appeal the bizarre bail conditions and explain what has changed since the last bail hearing. 

“The Government must appeal the determination of bail in the case of Mr Orkopoulos,” Mr Smith said.

“The court today granted bail to Mr Orkopoulos with conditions that he be in the presence of either his sister, his mother or his brother-in-law when at home, and that he be in the presence of either his sister or brother-in-law when he is outside of the home,” he said.

“In all my years of criminal justice I have never seen such bizarre, impractical and unrealistic bail conditions imposed on an individual who has been charged with such heinous and deplorable crimes."

“It is completely unreasonable and unrealistic to expect that Mr Orkopolous’ mother, sister and brother-in-law will be able to watch him 24/7."

“The community is right to be asking questions of this Government. Today’s decision comes less than a month after 21 new charges were brought against Mr Orkopoulos."

“At that time Magistrate Wakely refused Mr Orkopolous bail, citing concern for the community."

“The question the people of New South Wales want this government to answer is, ‘what has changed in the last month?"

“Given the unrealistic and impractical conditions of bail in the matter of Mr Orkopoulos this Government need to finally show some leadership and appeal the determination,” Mr Smith concluded.