SYDNEY : A former Australian state minister was jailed for nearly 14 years on Wednesday on child sex and drugs charges by a judge who described him as "predatory and manipulative".

Milton Orkopoulos, the former New South Wales state minister for Aboriginal affairs, lived a double life preying on vulnerable young boys while also working as a respected politician, the Newcastle District Court heard.

Orkopoulos, 50, was convicted on 30 charges related to plying three teenage boys with cash, cannabis and heroin to lure them into sex acts. The boys were aged 15 and 16 when the offences occurred between 1995 and 2006.

Judge Ralph Coolahan jailed him for 13 years and 11 months, saying Orkopoulos used his position of authority to win the trust of his victims and introduced one to heroin, which he described as "a very serious offence".

"His conduct was premeditated, predatory and manipulative with far reaching impacts," Coolahan told the court.

The only time Orkopoulos displayed any emotion was when the judge mentioned the support he still received from his mother and sister, the national AAP news agency reported.

His three his victims and their families, who were present in court, applauded when the sentence was passed.

Outside the court, one of his victims said he hoped Orkopoulos would suffer, saying "it's taken away so much of my life."

Orkopoulos, described by the prosecutor as a "sordid genius", was sacked as a Labor Party minister shortly after his arrest in November 2006.

- AFP /ls