Former NSW Labour minister Milton Orkopoulos, convicted of child sex and drug offences, has been sentenced to at least nine years and three months in jail by a Newcastle court.

Orkopoulos, 50, was found guilty by a jury in March of 28 offences, and pleaded guilty to two other charges at the outset of his trial.

In the Newcastle District Court today, Judge Ralph Coolahan set a maximum jail term of 13 years and 11 months for the former Aboriginal affairs minister.

Judge Coolahan spent more than an hour detailing the former MP's crimes which date between 1995 and 2006 and involved the grooming of three young boys with drugs and alcohol in exchange for sex.

He said Orkopoulos used his position of authority and power to win the trust of his victims and introduced one to heroin, an act which he described as "a very serious offence".

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

The only time Orkopoulos displayed any emotion during the hearing was when the judge mentioned the ongoing support he had received from his mother, sister and former parliamentary colleague Jan Burnswoods.

All three of his victims, who were present in court with family and friends, simply stared at Orkopoulos as the sentence was passed.

Outside court, his second victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said today represented a new beginning.

He condemned Orkopoulos as "gutless", and said he hoped he would suffer.

"Justice has been served," he told reporters.

"It's taken away so much of my life, and I want to make up for the last 10 years I have lost."

He said he was not surprised Orkopoulos only showed emotion when his own family was mentioned, saying: "That's just the sort of person he is."

The man said he supported a fundraising push by some Labor MPs hoping to raise money for Orkopoulos' wife Kathy and daughter Anastasia.

"His wife has probably suffered," he said, but broke down when asked if he believed the Labor Party had tried to protect Orkopoulos.

The third victim, Ben Blackburn, who was 16 when he was first indecently assaulted by Orkopoulos, said he was extremely relieved by the sentence.

"It's been a long road but we got justice in the end," he said, as his mother sobbed beside him.

"Obviously it is not something that is going to go away. It is always going to be with me." Orkopoulos' lawyer, John Fitzgerald, said he had since the sentencing visited his client, who was yet to consider whether he would appeal against the sentence.

"He has asked me to seek advice on his options," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"They are matters that I shall discuss with him.

"He's asked for some time to digest what's been handed down."

Hetty Johnston, executive director of the child sex abuse support organisation, Bravehearts, for whom Mr Blackburn now works, said they were satisfied with the sentence.

"(This sends a message to pedophiles that) You are going to get caught and when you get caught, justice is going to come down on you," she told reporters.

She supported fundraising for the Orkopoulos family, but said his victim's should not be forgotten.

"I think his wife and his children can't be held responsible for what he has done," she said.

AAP