NSW Offers $2M to Exonerated Kathleen Folbigg

Kathleen Folbigg, wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years over the deaths of her four children, was exonerated in 2023 after new scientific evidence and a judicial review established reasonable doubt about her guilt. The New South Wales government has offered her an ex gratia compensation payment of approximately A$2 million, a one-off decision made by the state cabinet rather than a court process. Legal experts and advocates have criticized the amount as 'profoundly unfair' and 'insulting,' claiming it fails to address the scale of Folbigg's suffering, lost wages, and lost opportunities. Her lawyer and supporters argue the payment is inadequate, especially in comparison to other Australian wrongful imprisonment cases. The government has stated the decision followed extensive consideration, and the details were initially kept confidential at Folbigg’s request. The case has renewed debate about compensation standards for wrongful convictions in Australia.