NSW Announces $1.3 Million Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Woman, Lawyers Deem It Inadequate
New South Wales Attorney-General Michael Daley announced $1.3 million compensation for an Australian woman wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years. Lawyers criticize the amount as inadequate, advocating for a historic payout.
Overview
- New South Wales Attorney-General Michael Daley announced a $1.3 million compensation package for an Australian woman wrongfully imprisoned for two decades.
- This compensation follows the New South Wales Court of Appeal overturning all convictions against the woman in December 2023, after she spent 20 years in prison.
- The woman's lawyer immediately criticized the $1.3 million sum, labeling it "profoundly unjust" and "inadequate" given the extensive harm caused by her wrongful conviction.
- Legal experts support the lawyer's stance, arguing that the woman should receive the largest compensation payout in Australian history to reflect the severe impact of her wrongful imprisonment.
- Despite the criticism, the Attorney-General stated the $1.3 million decision was based on thorough consideration of her application, indicating the government's current position.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the perceived inadequacy of Kathleen Folbigg's compensation. They prioritize the lawyer's and friend's strong condemnation, detailing their arguments for a "substantially higher" sum and highlighting Folbigg's ongoing suffering. This collective editorial choice creates a narrative centered on the "profound injustice" of the awarded amount, contrasting with the minimal government response.
Articles (3)
FAQ
The woman is Kathleen Folbigg, who was wrongfully convicted of killing her children and spent 20 years in prison before her convictions were overturned in 2023.
Kathleen Folbigg is receiving a $2 million ex gratia compensation payment from the New South Wales government for her wrongful imprisonment.
Lawyers, including Folbigg's solicitor Rhanee Rego, consider the $2 million compensation inadequate because it is a 'moral affront' and 'woefully inadequate' to address the extensive harm and suffering caused by her wrongful conviction and two decades in prison.
The NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley stated that the $2 million compensation decision followed thorough and extensive consideration of the materials and issues raised in Kathleen Folbigg's application and by her legal representatives.
Ex gratia payments for wrongful convictions in NSW are one-off matters usually decided by the state cabinet and differ from court-run compensation claims, which follow precedents.
History
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