Parents on edge as more childcare abuse charges emerge
About 1200 letters have been sent to parents of children who attended the centres where the out-of-school care worker was employed.
The allegations relate to six centres and have raised fears more children could have been exposed to the childcare worker, who was employed at nearly 60 sites on a casual basis from 2021 to 2024, including at some of Sydney's most elite schools.
Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James, who revealed the details of the case after a non-publication order was lifted, said the investigation had been victim-led.
"The victims and their families are our key priority," he said.
Dubbed Operation Arctile, the AFP has published a how-to guide for concerned parents and a list of all the 58 centres where the alleged offender worked.
These include tips such as using age-appropriate language, self-reflection, empathy and active listening skills as well as providing a sample script.
A hotline staffed from 7am to 7pm has been set up to provide further support for a week.
"First off, how to approach your child, and then what questions to ask, how to ask those questions and lead them into a conversation," Mr James said.
"This is a really important piece for us.
"We are absolutely dedicated to protecting those young people and bringing those pedophiles to justice."
The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority said it had been cooperating with police since September 2024.
"Child safety is the authority's absolute priority," a spokesperson told AAP.
"We take strong action when child safety has been compromised and will not hesitate to prohibit individuals from the sector, suspend or cancel service or provider approvals, including taking legal action for the most serious matters.
David William James, remanded in custody since October 2024, came to the attention of Australian Federal Police investigators after they found the material on the dark web, tracing it back to him in June 2024.
Digital forensic investigators were able to crack into the man's devices after he was initially charged over refusing to provide his passwords.
The 26-year-old was employed as a probationary constable but, after failing to pass his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
NSW Police said they were unaware he was working in the childcare sector at the same time.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Authorities are ramping up support for families after harrowing revelations an accused pedophile and failed police officer allegedly took graphic child abuse material of victims under the age of six at multiple school centres.
About 1200 letters have been sent to parents of children who attended the centres where the out-of-school care worker was employed.
The allegations relate to six centres and have raised fears more children could have been exposed to the childcare worker, who was employed at nearly 60 sites on a casual basis from 2021 to 2024, including at some of Sydney's most elite schools.
Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James, who revealed the details of the case after a non-publication order was lifted, said the investigation had been victim-led.
"The victims and their families are our key priority," he said.
Dubbed Operation Arctile, the AFP has published a how-to guide for concerned parents and a list of all the 58 centres where the alleged offender worked.
These include tips such as using age-appropriate language, self-reflection, empathy and active listening skills as well as providing a sample script.
A hotline staffed from 7am to 7pm has been set up to provide further support for a week.
"First off, how to approach your child, and then what questions to ask, how to ask those questions and lead them into a conversation," Mr James said.
"This is a really important piece for us.
"We are absolutely dedicated to protecting those young people and bringing those pedophiles to justice."
The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority said it had been cooperating with police since September 2024.
"Child safety is the authority's absolute priority," a spokesperson told AAP.
"We take strong action when child safety has been compromised and will not hesitate to prohibit individuals from the sector, suspend or cancel service or provider approvals, including taking legal action for the most serious matters.
David William James, remanded in custody since October 2024, came to the attention of Australian Federal Police investigators after they found the material on the dark web, tracing it back to him in June 2024.
Digital forensic investigators were able to crack into the man's devices after he was initially charged over refusing to provide his passwords.
The 26-year-old was employed as a probationary constable but, after failing to pass his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
NSW Police said they were unaware he was working in the childcare sector at the same time.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Authorities are ramping up support for families after harrowing revelations an accused pedophile and failed police officer allegedly took graphic child abuse material of victims under the age of six at multiple school centres.
About 1200 letters have been sent to parents of children who attended the centres where the out-of-school care worker was employed.
The allegations relate to six centres and have raised fears more children could have been exposed to the childcare worker, who was employed at nearly 60 sites on a casual basis from 2021 to 2024, including at some of Sydney's most elite schools.
Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James, who revealed the details of the case after a non-publication order was lifted, said the investigation had been victim-led.
"The victims and their families are our key priority," he said.
Dubbed Operation Arctile, the AFP has published a how-to guide for concerned parents and a list of all the 58 centres where the alleged offender worked.
These include tips such as using age-appropriate language, self-reflection, empathy and active listening skills as well as providing a sample script.
A hotline staffed from 7am to 7pm has been set up to provide further support for a week.
"First off, how to approach your child, and then what questions to ask, how to ask those questions and lead them into a conversation," Mr James said.
"This is a really important piece for us.
"We are absolutely dedicated to protecting those young people and bringing those pedophiles to justice."
The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority said it had been cooperating with police since September 2024.
"Child safety is the authority's absolute priority," a spokesperson told AAP.
"We take strong action when child safety has been compromised and will not hesitate to prohibit individuals from the sector, suspend or cancel service or provider approvals, including taking legal action for the most serious matters.
David William James, remanded in custody since October 2024, came to the attention of Australian Federal Police investigators after they found the material on the dark web, tracing it back to him in June 2024.
Digital forensic investigators were able to crack into the man's devices after he was initially charged over refusing to provide his passwords.
The 26-year-old was employed as a probationary constable but, after failing to pass his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
NSW Police said they were unaware he was working in the childcare sector at the same time.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Authorities are ramping up support for families after harrowing revelations an accused pedophile and failed police officer allegedly took graphic child abuse material of victims under the age of six at multiple school centres.
About 1200 letters have been sent to parents of children who attended the centres where the out-of-school care worker was employed.
The allegations relate to six centres and have raised fears more children could have been exposed to the childcare worker, who was employed at nearly 60 sites on a casual basis from 2021 to 2024, including at some of Sydney's most elite schools.
Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James, who revealed the details of the case after a non-publication order was lifted, said the investigation had been victim-led.
"The victims and their families are our key priority," he said.
Dubbed Operation Arctile, the AFP has published a how-to guide for concerned parents and a list of all the 58 centres where the alleged offender worked.
These include tips such as using age-appropriate language, self-reflection, empathy and active listening skills as well as providing a sample script.
A hotline staffed from 7am to 7pm has been set up to provide further support for a week.
"First off, how to approach your child, and then what questions to ask, how to ask those questions and lead them into a conversation," Mr James said.
"This is a really important piece for us.
"We are absolutely dedicated to protecting those young people and bringing those pedophiles to justice."
The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority said it had been cooperating with police since September 2024.
"Child safety is the authority's absolute priority," a spokesperson told AAP.
"We take strong action when child safety has been compromised and will not hesitate to prohibit individuals from the sector, suspend or cancel service or provider approvals, including taking legal action for the most serious matters.
David William James, remanded in custody since October 2024, came to the attention of Australian Federal Police investigators after they found the material on the dark web, tracing it back to him in June 2024.
Digital forensic investigators were able to crack into the man's devices after he was initially charged over refusing to provide his passwords.
The 26-year-old was employed as a probationary constable but, after failing to pass his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
NSW Police said they were unaware he was working in the childcare sector at the same time.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
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- Sydney Morning Herald
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The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
Who is Krissy Barrett, the first woman to lead the AFP?
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Transparency gaps cloud $2m Folbigg compensation offer
Secrecy surrounds why Kathleen Folbigg has been offered $2 million for decades of wrongful imprisonment, with concerns the compensation system risks undermining the principles of open justice. The NSW government is refusing to budge on the sum, with the state's premier saying Ms Folbigg would need to go to court for more, despite widespread criticism of the payout amount. High-profile lawyer Sam Tierney said $2 million appeared to be low for her 20 years in jail. Mr Tierney represented David Eastman in his $7 million compensation win against the ACT government after being wrongly convicted of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester's murder. Serious concerns about the transparency of the ex gratia payment process would persist until governments handed over powers to the courts or released reasons for their decision, he said. 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Ms Folbigg's solicitor previously described the payment offer as a "moral affront". "The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg once again," Rhanee Rego said. Greens MP Sue Higginson described it as "an absolute slap in the face". AUSTRALIANS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF HOMICIDE: * Darryl Beamish - convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1961, paroled in 1971, conviction overturned in 2005. Received $425,000 in 2011. * John Button - convicted of manslaughter in 1963, released in 1968. Conviction quashed and received $400,000 in compensation in 2002. * Lindy Chamberlain - convicted of the murder of her daughter Azaria in 1982, released in 1986 and pardoned in 1988. Received $1.3 million in compensation in 1992. * Andrew Mallard - convicted of murder in 1995, conviction quashed by the High Court and released in 2006. Received $3.25 million in compensation in 2009. * David Eastman - convicted in 1995 of the murder of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester. Conviction quashed and released in 2014. Acquitted on retrial in 2018. Awarded $7 million in compensation in 2019. * Kathleen Folbigg - convicted of the murder of three and manslaughter of one of her children in 2003. Pardoned and released in 2023. Offered $2 million compensation. Secrecy surrounds why Kathleen Folbigg has been offered $2 million for decades of wrongful imprisonment, with concerns the compensation system risks undermining the principles of open justice. The NSW government is refusing to budge on the sum, with the state's premier saying Ms Folbigg would need to go to court for more, despite widespread criticism of the payout amount. High-profile lawyer Sam Tierney said $2 million appeared to be low for her 20 years in jail. Mr Tierney represented David Eastman in his $7 million compensation win against the ACT government after being wrongly convicted of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester's murder. Serious concerns about the transparency of the ex gratia payment process would persist until governments handed over powers to the courts or released reasons for their decision, he said. "It seems only fair and reasonable and sensible that the decision maker would issue reasons explaining why they arrived at a particular figure," Mr Tierney told AAP. "State and commonwealth legislatures should look very seriously at implementing Human Rights Acts so that courts can be empowered to properly review these situations." Ms Folbigg was jailed over the deaths of her four children before being freed in June 2023 after new scientific evidence cast reasonable doubt about her convictions. Premier Chris Minns said her lawyers were free to sue the government if they felt the offer was inadequate, but he wouldn't budge without a court order. "There's no future action that cannot be pursued by Ms Folbigg or her lawyers," he said on Friday. NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley's office declined to comment when asked whether it would release the reasons for the decision. Despite his former client's success, Mr Tierney said Ms Folbigg would struggle to appeal against the offer she received on Thursday. "If there are no reasons issued by the decision maker, then it's very difficult to attack the decision that's been made," the lawyer said. Unlike court-run compensation claims, which have precedents, ex gratia payments are one-off matters and are a decision of state cabinets. Arguing about the viability of a $2 million payment in a state budget of billions of dollars was "a little trite", Mr Tierney said. Against the NSW annual budget of $128 billion, the amount offered to Ms Folbigg represents about 0.0015 per cent. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the government's offer was unfair and far too low. "This is all about showing some empathy for someone whose conviction has been overturned," he told Nine's Today show. "Her conviction was wrongful. She suffered enormously." Ms Folbigg's solicitor previously described the payment offer as a "moral affront". "The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg once again," Rhanee Rego said. Greens MP Sue Higginson described it as "an absolute slap in the face". AUSTRALIANS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF HOMICIDE: * Darryl Beamish - convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1961, paroled in 1971, conviction overturned in 2005. Received $425,000 in 2011. * John Button - convicted of manslaughter in 1963, released in 1968. Conviction quashed and received $400,000 in compensation in 2002. * Lindy Chamberlain - convicted of the murder of her daughter Azaria in 1982, released in 1986 and pardoned in 1988. Received $1.3 million in compensation in 1992. * Andrew Mallard - convicted of murder in 1995, conviction quashed by the High Court and released in 2006. Received $3.25 million in compensation in 2009. * David Eastman - convicted in 1995 of the murder of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester. Conviction quashed and released in 2014. Acquitted on retrial in 2018. Awarded $7 million in compensation in 2019. * Kathleen Folbigg - convicted of the murder of three and manslaughter of one of her children in 2003. Pardoned and released in 2023. Offered $2 million compensation. Secrecy surrounds why Kathleen Folbigg has been offered $2 million for decades of wrongful imprisonment, with concerns the compensation system risks undermining the principles of open justice. The NSW government is refusing to budge on the sum, with the state's premier saying Ms Folbigg would need to go to court for more, despite widespread criticism of the payout amount. High-profile lawyer Sam Tierney said $2 million appeared to be low for her 20 years in jail. Mr Tierney represented David Eastman in his $7 million compensation win against the ACT government after being wrongly convicted of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester's murder. Serious concerns about the transparency of the ex gratia payment process would persist until governments handed over powers to the courts or released reasons for their decision, he said. "It seems only fair and reasonable and sensible that the decision maker would issue reasons explaining why they arrived at a particular figure," Mr Tierney told AAP. "State and commonwealth legislatures should look very seriously at implementing Human Rights Acts so that courts can be empowered to properly review these situations." Ms Folbigg was jailed over the deaths of her four children before being freed in June 2023 after new scientific evidence cast reasonable doubt about her convictions. Premier Chris Minns said her lawyers were free to sue the government if they felt the offer was inadequate, but he wouldn't budge without a court order. "There's no future action that cannot be pursued by Ms Folbigg or her lawyers," he said on Friday. NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley's office declined to comment when asked whether it would release the reasons for the decision. Despite his former client's success, Mr Tierney said Ms Folbigg would struggle to appeal against the offer she received on Thursday. "If there are no reasons issued by the decision maker, then it's very difficult to attack the decision that's been made," the lawyer said. Unlike court-run compensation claims, which have precedents, ex gratia payments are one-off matters and are a decision of state cabinets. Arguing about the viability of a $2 million payment in a state budget of billions of dollars was "a little trite", Mr Tierney said. Against the NSW annual budget of $128 billion, the amount offered to Ms Folbigg represents about 0.0015 per cent. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the government's offer was unfair and far too low. "This is all about showing some empathy for someone whose conviction has been overturned," he told Nine's Today show. "Her conviction was wrongful. She suffered enormously." Ms Folbigg's solicitor previously described the payment offer as a "moral affront". "The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg once again," Rhanee Rego said. Greens MP Sue Higginson described it as "an absolute slap in the face". AUSTRALIANS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF HOMICIDE: * Darryl Beamish - convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1961, paroled in 1971, conviction overturned in 2005. Received $425,000 in 2011. * John Button - convicted of manslaughter in 1963, released in 1968. Conviction quashed and received $400,000 in compensation in 2002. * Lindy Chamberlain - convicted of the murder of her daughter Azaria in 1982, released in 1986 and pardoned in 1988. Received $1.3 million in compensation in 1992. * Andrew Mallard - convicted of murder in 1995, conviction quashed by the High Court and released in 2006. Received $3.25 million in compensation in 2009. * David Eastman - convicted in 1995 of the murder of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester. Conviction quashed and released in 2014. Acquitted on retrial in 2018. Awarded $7 million in compensation in 2019. * Kathleen Folbigg - convicted of the murder of three and manslaughter of one of her children in 2003. Pardoned and released in 2023. Offered $2 million compensation. Secrecy surrounds why Kathleen Folbigg has been offered $2 million for decades of wrongful imprisonment, with concerns the compensation system risks undermining the principles of open justice. The NSW government is refusing to budge on the sum, with the state's premier saying Ms Folbigg would need to go to court for more, despite widespread criticism of the payout amount. High-profile lawyer Sam Tierney said $2 million appeared to be low for her 20 years in jail. Mr Tierney represented David Eastman in his $7 million compensation win against the ACT government after being wrongly convicted of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester's murder. Serious concerns about the transparency of the ex gratia payment process would persist until governments handed over powers to the courts or released reasons for their decision, he said. "It seems only fair and reasonable and sensible that the decision maker would issue reasons explaining why they arrived at a particular figure," Mr Tierney told AAP. "State and commonwealth legislatures should look very seriously at implementing Human Rights Acts so that courts can be empowered to properly review these situations." Ms Folbigg was jailed over the deaths of her four children before being freed in June 2023 after new scientific evidence cast reasonable doubt about her convictions. Premier Chris Minns said her lawyers were free to sue the government if they felt the offer was inadequate, but he wouldn't budge without a court order. "There's no future action that cannot be pursued by Ms Folbigg or her lawyers," he said on Friday. NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley's office declined to comment when asked whether it would release the reasons for the decision. Despite his former client's success, Mr Tierney said Ms Folbigg would struggle to appeal against the offer she received on Thursday. "If there are no reasons issued by the decision maker, then it's very difficult to attack the decision that's been made," the lawyer said. Unlike court-run compensation claims, which have precedents, ex gratia payments are one-off matters and are a decision of state cabinets. Arguing about the viability of a $2 million payment in a state budget of billions of dollars was "a little trite", Mr Tierney said. Against the NSW annual budget of $128 billion, the amount offered to Ms Folbigg represents about 0.0015 per cent. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the government's offer was unfair and far too low. "This is all about showing some empathy for someone whose conviction has been overturned," he told Nine's Today show. "Her conviction was wrongful. She suffered enormously." Ms Folbigg's solicitor previously described the payment offer as a "moral affront". "The system has failed Kathleen Folbigg once again," Rhanee Rego said. Greens MP Sue Higginson described it as "an absolute slap in the face". AUSTRALIANS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF HOMICIDE: * Darryl Beamish - convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1961, paroled in 1971, conviction overturned in 2005. Received $425,000 in 2011. * John Button - convicted of manslaughter in 1963, released in 1968. Conviction quashed and received $400,000 in compensation in 2002. * Lindy Chamberlain - convicted of the murder of her daughter Azaria in 1982, released in 1986 and pardoned in 1988. Received $1.3 million in compensation in 1992. * Andrew Mallard - convicted of murder in 1995, conviction quashed by the High Court and released in 2006. Received $3.25 million in compensation in 2009. * David Eastman - convicted in 1995 of the murder of AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester. Conviction quashed and released in 2014. Acquitted on retrial in 2018. Awarded $7 million in compensation in 2019. * Kathleen Folbigg - convicted of the murder of three and manslaughter of one of her children in 2003. Pardoned and released in 2023. Offered $2 million compensation.
