The mother of all group actions is being launched against the State of Victoria that, if successful, could pave the way for dozens of others to follow suit, and force the state to pay out millions in compensation.
“It’s about accountability for what has happened and ensuring future accountability will be better as well,” said Sandra Betts, whose daughter Raechel was murdered by triple killer John Coombes in 2009. “If people are held to account they’re far more likely to make sure that the way they’re operating is effective.”
At least eight reports of violent sex predator Gary John Collingwood breaching the terms of his report were ignored before he tied up and raped Karen Harrison at knifepoint in 2013.
“I’m living a nightmare and if only they took action when he breached his order the first, second, third or even eighth time, I would not have been raped,” said Harrison. “He was a ticking time bomb and despite warning after warning, they did nothing.”
Among the changes the group are seeking are assessments of all serious violent and high-risk offenders on conviction by a forensic psychiatrist, and boosting of supervision of parolees through technology such as ankle bracelets and intermittent surveillance (which already occurs in NSW).
They’re also seeking to give Department of Justice staff greater powers in dealing with parolees, so that staff are able to do shit like investigate excuses for failing to keep appointments, and allowing them to open cupboards and draws while checking parolees’ homes for weapons and porn.
Source: Herald Sun.
