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Explosive images have emerged of a powerful Liberal and a local councilor dry humping and ridiculing a gay colleague with sexual comments.
Kent Johns, considered an influential figure within NSW Liberal ranks, made lewd comments in October 2022, months after losing a battle for an upper house seat.
The Sutherland Shire councilor had finished at a taxpayer-funded work event in the Hunter Valley when the incident took place at an after-party at around 1am
In the video, Johns dry humps in front of several other men, saying “stick it up my ass” and “Rath is bad,” in an apparent reference to fellow gay liberal Chris Rath.
Rath is one of two openly gay Liberal Party members in the New South Wales Parliament and recently proposed to his long-term partner in France.
Sutherland Shire councilor Kent Johns, considered a power man within NSW Liberal ranks, made lewd comments in October 2022, just months after losing a battle for an upper house seat.
In audio that was less clear, Johns said “I don’t like it,” followed again by the word “Rath.”
At least one man is heard laughing in the background of the audio, while another makes a fist motion toward Mr. Johns’ butt.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, Mr Johns admitted “it was a really stupid thing to do”.
‘I was stupid. It was 1am… It was a stupid thing to say.’
He later noted that “it was years ago, after a night out, where I said some pretty stupid things, but that’s not the person I am.”
“Very sorry”.
The mobile phone vision appears to have been filmed inside a hotel suite with several men present.
Daily Mail Australia understands that, in addition to this footage, there are other audio clips from the night in question in which Johns went on a rampage against other colleagues.
Former state treasurer Matt Kean took a spray and was described as a “piece of shit” overnight, The Australian’s Margin Call column reported on Tuesday.
The vision comes at an awkward time for Johns, who faces a local election battle in September.
He served twice as mayor and has 25 years of experience in local government. He is also a former vice-president of the New South Wales Liberal Party and has served as acting president.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Rath for comment.
At least one man is heard laughing in the background of the audio, while another makes a motion with his fist toward Mr. Johns’ butt.