Kiama councillor and former police minister Matt Brown says he was attempting to "satisfy a curiosity" when he was caught with the drug ice and a glass pipe at Townsville's Ville Casino this week.
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Mr Brown, the Labor member for Kiama from 1999 to 2011 who currently serves on Kiama council, said he "made a stupid decision" and is now seeking help for substance abuse and depression.
"I made a mistake. I have a problem. I am seeking help," Mr Brown told Fairfax Media via text message on Wednesday.
"I behaved with a selfish indulgence and a reckless disregard to everything that is important to me."
Mr Brown, 46, escaped without a conviction, but was fined $500 after pleading guilty to possessing a dangerous drug and being in possession of a utensil in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mr Brown disputed media reports that he admitted to police he had purchased the drug, instead telling Fairfax Media he found the drug on the ground while walking around the city.
"I notice a small satchel of a drug when I went on a walk to get money," Mr Brown said.
He said he could not have purchased the drug "as my wallet was left on the plane". He then purchased a glass pipe from a tobacconist for the purpose of consuming the drug.
"I was tempted by my curiosity due to the find," he said. "As it turned out, I forgot about the illegality of it until it fell out of my pocket that evening and was witnessed by someone."
Mr Brown said he had battled depression since his ministerial career came to an abrupt end in September 2008, just three days after Nathan Rees took over from Morris Iemma as premier.
"I have been battling an alcohol issue for some time. This has been compounded by the Black Dog, which has been exacerbated over the years since my career plummeted," Mr Brown said.
"I have repeatedly told myself and tried to convince myself that I'm ok. Evidently not."
NSW Labor officials granted Brown’s request to have his party membership suspended.
Kiama Municipal Council granted the councillor a leave of absence on Wednesday while he deals with “significant personal issues”.
“My first concern is for Matt’s welfare,” Kiama mayor Mark Honey said.
“Naturally I’m disappointed in Matt’s behaviour, which reflects poorly on our council and our community.
“It’s important for him to take this time off from his duties, to ensure his health and wellbeing.
“The council will be offering Matt the support services we provide our employees, for their mental and physical health.
“His behaviour is not consistent with the council’s values that councillors and council staff work to uphold.”
Mr Brown has a had a colourful political life. His ministerial career came to an abrupt end in September 2008, just three days after Nathan Rees took over from Morris Iemma as premier.
He was promoted from tourism minister to police minister in Mr Rees’ new cabinet but was forced to resign almost immediately after details emerged of a wild budget night party three months earlier.
Mr Brown was alleged to have danced in his underwear and simulated a sex act with the former Wollongong MP Noreen Hay at a party in his Parliament House office.
He later admitted to having his shirt off but denied being drunk or simulating the act with Ms Hay.
At the time, Mr Rees said his reaction to the behaviour was "beyond anger, gross disappointment".
Mr Brown remained in Parliament on the backbench until he lost his seat in 2011, but he made a return to politics in 2016 when he was elected on the Labor ticket to Kiama Council.
He is also the president of the Kiama branch of the Labor Party and a member of the Destination Kiama Tourism Advisory Committee.
- with Alexandra Smith
