Terry Campese at a fundraiser event in 2020. Photo: The Terry Campese Foundation Facebook.
Just weeks from the NSW state election, the Australian Labor Party has been embarrassed by the emergence of a raunchy video starring their star candidate for Monaro, Terry Campese.
The former Canberra Raiders captain features in a private video of a sex-themed party he is reported to have attended last year.
In the video, the former rugby league star is seen wearing only blue underwear, a police hat and a tie while a scantily clad woman drinks alcohol off his body.
Other party guests caught on the film are also engaging in various raunchy acts involving sex toys, sex swings and a “spank station” of whips and other bondage gear.
Labor had high hopes that Campese and his celebrity status would help snatch Monaro from the Nationals, who have held the seat since 2011.
But with the 25 March election fast approaching, the ALP can now only do its best to contain the embarrassment.
It was brought to the party’s attention last month but was dismissed after senior officials looked into the incident and found it to be nothing more than a private matter.
But now the video has surfaced – published today by News Corp media outlets – and a complaint has been made to the party from a “member of the public”.
Terry Campese as he appears in the video, as published in News Corp papers today. Photo: Supplied.
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns held a press conference on Wednesday and described the video as distasteful but confirmed that the matter was a personal one for Campese.
“I do believe it’s a private matter for him,” Mr Minns said.
“It happened before he was a candidate for public office … My understanding was that it was a complaint made by a member of the public who was concerned about the appropriateness of the video.
“The video was tracked down by the NSW party office. They determined it was a private matter for Mr Campese.
“Obviously, it is embarrassing for him and it is distasteful for many people but he’s been transparent about it, and it happened before he was a Labor candidate.”
Mr Campese has so far made no public comment.
The seat of Monaro covers regional areas including Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Braidwood, Cooma, Bombala, Captains Flat, Nimmitabel, Delegate, Bredbo, Michelago, Berridale, Jindabyne and Adaminaby.
Labor was hopeful of winning the seat after former deputy premier John Barilaro resigned under a cloud in October 2021. His successor in the seat, Nichole Overall (also Nationals), is struggling on a number of local issues, including the new Bungendore high school that has divided the local community.
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