UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the NSW government has offered $2 million to Kathleen Folbigg for her wrongful conviction in the murder of her four infant children. This decision has been met with widespread outrage, described by her legal team as “profoundly unfair” and “unjust.”
Kathleen Folbigg’s solicitor, Rhanee Rego, expressed her disbelief at the amount, labeling it a “moral affront.” She emphasized that this payment fails to acknowledge the deep emotional and psychological scars left by Folbigg’s two decades of wrongful imprisonment. “The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg once again,” Rego stated. “She lost her four children, her home, and twenty of the best years of her life.”
Folbigg, who spent 20 years in prison after her conviction in 2003, was released on June 5, 2023, following an unconditional pardon from Governor Margaret Beazley. The Attorney General Michael Daley stated that the government’s decision was made after careful consideration of the materials presented by Folbigg’s legal representatives. However, he noted that further details would not be disclosed at Folbigg’s request.
Rego has called for an inquiry into how the government arrived at this figure, highlighting a stark comparison with a previous case. When Lindy Chamberlain was exonerated in 1994, she received $1.7 million for just three years in prison. Folbigg’s lengthy imprisonment and the trauma she endured should warrant a significantly higher compensation, her team argues.
The emotional toll on Folbigg cannot be understated. “She has racked up legal costs fighting her wrongful conviction, lost her superannuation, and suffered one of the worst injustices in this state’s history,” Rego added.
Greens MP Sue Higginson echoed these sentiments, calling the government’s offer “shocking and insulting.” She criticized the lack of empathy and financial accountability shown in the proposal, describing it as “Go Away” money that reflects a grave injustice. “This payment speaks of misogyny and a failure to take responsibility for the State’s infliction of a grave injustice,” Higginson said.
As details unfold, the public and advocacy groups are watching closely. Calls for justice and accountability grow louder, with many demanding a thorough review of the state’s handling of wrongful convictions. The situation remains fluid, and the repercussions of this decision are likely to resonate throughout the legal community and the public at large.
Kathleen Folbigg’s fight for recognition and justice continues, as advocates urge the government to reconsider the compensation offered. The implications of this case extend far beyond Folbigg herself, raising critical questions about the integrity of the judicial system and the treatment of individuals wrongfully convicted.
Stay tuned as this developing story unfolds and more voices join the chorus demanding justice for Kathleen Folbigg.
