Kathleen Folbigg: Payout for girl wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years ‘woefully insufficient’

For 20 years of wrongful imprisonment over the deaths of her 4 infants, Kathleen Folbigg has been provided A$2m (£975,580, $1.3m) in compensation.

As soon as branded “Australia’s worst mom” however now thought of the sufferer of one in every of its biggest miscarriages of justice, Ms Folbigg was freed in 2023 after a judicial evaluate of her case discovered there was cheap doubt she had killed her kids.

Authorized consultants had estimated that the 58-year-old may anticipate one of many highest compensation payouts in Australian historical past – probably upwards of $10m.

Nevertheless, on Thursday Ms Folbigg’s lawyer stated she had been provided $2m by the New South Wales authorities, a determine they referred to as “profoundly unfair and unjust”.

“The sum provided is an ethical affront – woefully insufficient and ethically indefensible,” her lawyer Rhanee Rego stated in an announcement.

“The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg as soon as once more.”

She stated the cost didn’t pretty consider the struggling Ms Folbigg had endured.

“When Lindy Chamberlain was exonerated in 1994, she acquired $1.7 million for 3 years in jail. Kathleen Folbigg spent 20 years in jail, but for her wrongful imprisonment she has been provided $2 million.”

In an announcement, NSW Legal professional Common Michael Daley stated the choice was based mostly on “thorough and in depth” consideration of Ms Folbigg’s utility for compensation.

“At Ms Folbigg’s request, the Legal professional Common and Authorities have agreed to not publicly focus on the small print of the choice.”

After her launch, forensic criminologist Xanthe Mallett informed the Australian Broadcasting Company she “would not be stunned” if compensation awarded was upwards of A$10m.

Different native media reported that she may obtain damages of as much as A$20m.