Latest news with #KathleenFolbigg
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Kathleen Folbigg still fighting for compensation after being exonerated of killing her children
A woman exonerated of killing her four children after spending two decades in jail for their deaths says her "life is still on hold" as she seeks compensation from the New South Wales government. Once labelled Australia's worst serial killer, Kathleen Folbigg had her convictions quashed in 2023 and was released from prison. In 2003 she was convicted over the deaths of her children, Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura, who were toddlers or babies when they died between 1989 and 1999 in the Hunter region. Ms Folbigg said she wanted the compensation matter resolved as soon as possible. "I'm not asking to be treated any differently than anyone else who's been put through what I have," she said in statement. "I just need this to be resolved so I can begin to rebuild and move forward. "Adjusting to 2025 prices has been confronting. "Even basics like groceries, bills and public transport are so much higher than they were in 2003. Ms Folbigg's lawyer Rhanee Rego told ABC Radio Newcastle an application for an ex gratia payment was made in July last year but there had not been any progress. "During that whole time I've been asking them, 'What are you doing?' When can we expect an answer?' And all they tell me is that it's 'under active consideration'," Ms Rego said. Ms Rego said Ms Folbigg had recently secured a rental home after two years. "She was struggling a bit there, and every time she feels hopeful that something will be done she's shut down," Ms Rego said. "It's just really, really disheartening." Ms Rego said she and Ms Folbigg had asked to meet with Premier Chris Minns, but on Monday morning he publicly denied that request and said the matter was before Attorney-General Michael Daley. "They're in the process of demanding money from the NSW government," Mr Minns said. "That's being independently assessed by the attorney-general and I don't think it's appropriate that I have meetings before he makes a decision. "I respect his call in relation to her commutation … but he's got another decision to make. A spokesperson for Mr Daley said the application for the ex gratia payment was being considered. "The NSW government acknowledges concerns about the time taken to consider Ms Folbigg's application, which contains complex material," they said in a statement. "It is important this material is thoroughly considered before a decision is made." The spokesperson said there had been extensive communication between the Department of Communities and Justice and Ms Folbigg's team. "Ms Folbigg's legal representation has been advised it would not be appropriate for the attorney-general to meet her while the ex gratia payment remains under consideration," they said.
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Major blow for Kathleen Folbigg after she was pardoned over the deaths of her four children
The NSW government has remained silent on compensation for Kathleen Folbigg after she spent two decades in jail over the deaths of her four children before being pardoned. Ms Folbigg received an unconditional pardon and was released from Grafton jail in June 2023 after an inquiry found there was 'reasonable doubt' about her guilt. In 2023, she was convicted and sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the suffocation murders of three of her children and manslaughter of a fourth. The children, Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura, died between 1989 and 1999 at ages ranging from 19 days to 18 months. Since being pardoned and having her convictions quashed in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal in December 2023, Ms Folbigg's lawyers indicated they would be seeking compensation from the state. However, Attorney-General Michael Daley has refused to meet with Ms Folbigg despite her pardon. NSW Premier Chris Minns' office has also not responded to her lawyer's communication attempts, which were sent as far back as August 2024. Ms Folbigg's lawyer Rhanee Rego labelled the lack of communication and information from the state government as 'ludicrous'. Ms Rego said the state government has not provided them with a timeline or any information about the compensation process or whether Ms Folbigg would be granted recompense. 'Despite repeated requests, I've received no substantive information – there is a pattern of avoidance that is becoming increasingly indefensible,' Ms Rego told The Daily Telegraph. 'Kathleen's case is one of the most significant wrongful convictions in recent Australian history. The fact that no one in government is willing to meet with her speaks volumes.' Ms Folbigg added her life was 'still on hold' as she waited for a decision on whether she will be compensated for serving 20 years in jail. 'I just need this to be resolved so I can begin to rebuild and move forward,' Ms Folbigg said. Since her release, Ms Folbigg has been living in Newcastle and has been unable to work. Ms Folbigg claims she has been unable to work and has not received any support from the state government, which has impacted her life as she struggles with the cost of living and finding a place to rent. Attorney-General Michael Daley has the sole decision on whether to award Ms Folbigg compensation. Mr Daley refused to provide any information about Mr Folbigg's compensation process after he was questioned by upper house independent MP Robert Borask. 'Ms Folbigg's application is under active consideration,' Mr Daley replied. 'It is important that the matters raised in Ms Folbigg's application are carefully considered. 'Until such consideration has concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further,' he said in response.' The Attorney-General's office also claimed Ms Folbigg's application was under consideration, adding Mr Daley did not deem it 'appropriate' to meet with her. Experts have estimated Ms Folbigg could be compensated from as little as $1million to a whopping $20million for spending 7,300 days in jail. In 2023, West Australian man Scott Austic received $1.3million on top of an earlier payment of $250,000 after serving nearly 13 years for the murder of his pregnant secret lover. Both payments were voluntary, with Ms Austic having sought $8.5million after being acquitted in 2020 on appeal. David Eastman was awarded $7million in damages by the ACT Supreme Court in 2019 after his wrongful conviction for the murder of Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Colin Winchester. Ms Folbigg was initially sentenced to 40 years in jail for the murder and manslaughter of her four children. However, two years after her conviction, the court reduced her sentence to 30 years with a non-parole period of 25 years. In 2018, NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman announced there would be a landmark Special Commission of Inquiry into Ms Folbigg's conviction. She served 20 years behind bars before a landmark Special Commission of Inquiry found there was reasonable doubt over her guilt. New scientific and medical evidence which related to a rare genetic condition was presented before the inquiry. The rare genetic variation was a 'reasonably possible cause' of Sarah and Laura's deaths, according to cardiology and genetics experts. Myocarditis - a disease which causes inflammation of the heart - was another possible cause of Laura's death. Patrick may have died from a neurogenetic disorder, which could have also hospitalised him before his death, experts told the inquiry. Meanwhile, reasonable causes for their deaths undermined the tendency reasoning used to convict Folbigg of Caleb's manslaughter. Ms Folbigg always maintained her innocence and in June 2023 was pardoned and walked free, with her conviction quashed later that year in December.
Daily Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
Kathleen Folbigg forced to sleep on friend's couch two years after being freed from jail
Don't miss out on the headlines from Real Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. Kathleen Folbigg has been forced to sleep on her friend's couch, unable to secure herself a rental property and with no assistance from the NSW Government despite being unjustly locked up for two decades. It's been two years today since Ms Folbigg was released from prison having been locked up for murdering her three youngest children, Patrick, Sarah and Laura, and the manslaughter of her oldest child, Caleb, between 1989 and 1999. In 2023 the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal overturned her convictions on all charges, accepting that new scientific evidence raised doubt over her guilt. Ms Folbigg told this week she is adapting to life outside, but the financial and emotional pressures have at times been overwhelming. Kathleen Folbigg has been struggling financially and emotionally since being released from jail. 'I've moved back into Newcastle, returning back to where I went to high school and stuff but I just can't find a rental, it's so hard and I guess I'm single, have a dog, no job,' she said. 'I've been lucky enough that my friend has let me put my stuff in storage and sleep on the couch. 'It's two years down the track so yeah I feel like things can be a bit of a struggle.' Ms Folbigg's legal team has had no word for a year from the NSW Government about her bid for compensation. High-profile supporter, businessman Peter Yates told the delay was 'morally wrong'. 'Since she was released she has received not even a tissue, not one cent, not one dollar, not a care package, absolutely nothing,' Mr Yates said. Kathleen Folbigg with NSW MPs Wes Fang, Mark Banasiak, Robert Borsak, and Stephen Lawrence on Thursday. Kathleen folbigg at Parliament House with two vocal supporters Mark Rudder, left and Peter Yates. 'The NSW Government incarcerated her for 20 years, released her two years ago, pardoned her more than a year ago and they have not offered, provided or paid a single cent of compensation. 'Not even a thought of 'here is some money to tie you over while we think about compensation'. It's a slight on the NSW Government. Ms Folbigg, Mr Yates and other supporters were having lunch at Parliament House in Sydney on Thursday to remind 'both sides of politics' of Ms Folbigg's plight. Ms Folbigg with her baby daughter Sarah at her naming ceremony. Sarah died 30 Aug 1993. Folbigg plans on spending her future advocating for others, and pushing for police departments to think of genetic testing as the 'first stop not the last stop'. Ms Folbigg's daughter Laura. Baby Caleb Folbigg. 'What happened to me could happen to anyone. I had an extremely rare condition that couldn't be found until this genetic testing became available and what's to say it won't happen to someone else. It won't be found until there is standard genetic testing,' she said. 'Genetic testing should be cheaper for anyone who wants to double check they don't have something abnormal like I did, and in my case the worst happened. 'If you're going to accuse a parent of harming a child, the first stop should be going down the genetic road, not the last stop which landed me in jail for 20 years.' 'My message is if zealous prosecutors and detectives target a person, and not have any actual proof, if you're going to target a person we should stop and learn from the Folbigg case.' Attorney-General Michael Daley told the NSW Government is still considering an ex-gratia application made by Kathleen Folbigg. Originally published as Kathleen Folbigg forced to sleep on friend's couch two years after being freed from jail
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Kathleen Folbigg forced to sleep on friend's couch two years after being freed from jail
Kathleen Folbigg has been forced to sleep on her friend's couch, unable to secure herself a rental property and with no assistance from the NSW Government despite being unjustly locked up for two decades. It's been two years today since Ms Folbigg was released from prison having been locked up for murdering her three youngest children, Patrick, Sarah and Laura, and the manslaughter of her oldest child, Caleb, between 1989 and 1999. In 2023 the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal overturned her convictions on all charges, accepting that new scientific evidence raised doubt over her guilt. Ms Folbigg told this week she is adapting to life outside, but the financial and emotional pressures have at times been overwhelming. 'I've moved back into Newcastle, returning back to where I went to high school and stuff but I just can't find a rental, it's so hard and I guess I'm single, have a dog, no job,' she said. 'I've been lucky enough that my friend has let me put my stuff in storage and sleep on the couch. 'It's two years down the track so yeah I feel like things can be a bit of a struggle.' Ms Folbigg's legal team has had no word for a year from the NSW Government about her bid for compensation. High-profile supporter, businessman Peter Yates told the delay was 'morally wrong'. 'Since she was released she has received not even a tissue, not one cent, not one dollar, not a care package, absolutely nothing,' Mr Yates said. 'The NSW Government incarcerated her for 20 years, released her two years ago, pardoned her more than a year ago and they have not offered, provided or paid a single cent of compensation. 'Not even a thought of 'here is some money to tie you over while we think about compensation'. It's a slight on the NSW Government. Ms Folbigg, Mr Yates and other supporters were having lunch at Parliament House in Sydney on Thursday to remind 'both sides of politics' of Ms Folbigg's plight. Folbigg plans on spending her future advocating for others, and pushing for police departments to think of genetic testing as the 'first stop not the last stop'. 'What happened to me could happen to anyone. I had an extremely rare condition that couldn't be found until this genetic testing became available and what's to say it won't happen to someone else. It won't be found until there is standard genetic testing,' she said. 'Genetic testing should be cheaper for anyone who wants to double check they don't have something abnormal like I did, and in my case the worst happened. 'If you're going to accuse a parent of harming a child, the first stop should be going down the genetic road, not the last stop which landed me in jail for 20 years.' 'My message is if zealous prosecutors and detectives target a person, and not have any actual proof, if you're going to target a person we should stop and learn from the Folbigg case.'
