It’s a story that has gripped the nation for decades, and now it has taken a dramatic new turn.

A woman once branded 'Australia’s worst female serial killer' will receive a $2 million payout from the government after enduring 20 years in prison for crimes she did not commit.

Her release and now this compensation mark a stunning reversal in one of the country’s most infamous miscarriages of justice.

For those who may not recall, Kathleen Folbigg was convicted in 2003 of killing her four children—Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura—between 1989 and 1999.

The case was one of the most controversial in Australian legal history, with the deaths of her children initially attributed to smothering.

The prosecution’s case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and the now-infamous diary entries, which were interpreted as confessions of guilt.

Kathleen Folbigg will receive compensation from the NSW government after being wrongfully convicted of killing her four children. Credit: Facebook

But as the years passed, the scientific community began to question the verdict. New research in genetics and cardiology revealed that the children may have died from natural causes linked to rare genetic mutations.

After two major inquiries and mounting pressure from scientists and advocates, Folbigg was finally released in June 2023, her convictions quashed and her name—at least in the eyes of the law—cleared.

Now, in a move that echoes some of Australia’s most high-profile wrongful conviction cases, the NSW government has agreed to pay Folbigg an ex gratia sum—meaning a one-off, discretionary payment, not determined by a court.

While the exact amount was meant to be confidential at Folbigg’s request, it’s widely reported to be around $2 million.

Attorney-General Michael Daley said the decision came after 'thorough and extensive consideration' of the evidence and submissions from Folbigg’s legal team.

The payout is intended to compensate her for the 20 years she lost to a wrongful conviction, the trauma she endured, and the damage to her reputation.

Folbigg’s case now sits alongside other infamous Australian miscarriages of justice. Lindy Chamberlain, who was wrongly convicted of killing her baby Azaria at Uluru in 1980, received $1.3 million in compensation in 1992.

More recently, Scott Austic, a West Australian man acquitted of murder after 13 years in prison, was awarded $1.55 million.

In contrast, David Eastman, who spent 19 years in jail for a murder he didn’t commit, received a court-ordered $7 million payout.

​

But as many legal experts and advocates point out, no amount of money can truly compensate for the years lost, the stigma endured, and the pain suffered by those wrongfully imprisoned.

Folbigg’s lawyer, Rhanee Rego, described the claim as including a detailed account of her 24-year ordeal, evidence of government errors, and expert assessments of her losses.

The payout also raises broader questions about how Australia handles wrongful convictions. Ex gratia payments are rare, and there’s no standard formula for how much is awarded.

Unlike court-ordered damages, these payments are at the government's discretion, often decided behind closed doors by state cabinets.

This lack of transparency and consistency has led to calls for a national compensation scheme for the wrongfully convicted.

​

For Folbigg, the payout is a bittersweet victory. She’s free, her name has cleared, and she’ll have some financial security after decades of hardship. But the scars of her ordeal will likely remain for life.

Her case is a stark reminder of the fallibility of our justice system—and the importance of scientific progress in righting past wrongs.

Key Takeaways

• Kathleen Folbigg, who was wrongfully convicted of killing her four children and spent two decades in prison, will receive a compensation payment from the NSW government.
• While Folbigg requested most details be kept private, it’s understood her ex gratia payment is about $2 million after her convictions were overturned due to new scientific evidence.
• Ex gratia payments like Folbigg’s are rare, decided by state cabinet, and differ from court-awarded damages; other high-profile cases include Lindy Chamberlain and Scott Austic.
• Folbigg’s compensation claim included details about her long ordeal, government errors, and independent assessments of her loss; her convictions were quashed after evidence from genetics and cardiology experts.

Do you think $2 million is enough for 20 years lost? Should there be a national standard for compensating the wrongfully convicted? And do you remember following the Folbigg case over the years? Share your opinions and stories in the comments below.

Read more: Online romance tricks Aussie grandma, nearly lands her in prison

 

[mOiOz]

I think it's was the prosecuting lawyers that didn't do it right and that's why she got out.
The evidence they presented was done wrong. If they had done it correctly she would still be inside

Sorry, but I disagree. The hereditary illness that the kids carried was not a new incident.
Having volunteered to work with intellectual adults and children from age 9, and was then employed at the home 9 years later, I've always been intrigued with hereditary phenomena.

When a cousin of mine had 2 kids with severe Craniosynostosis (protruding forehead) also, when I worked for a science professor who was a maxillofacial surgeon, I was hooked!
You will be more than surprised at what odd discrepancies occur in the human body.

Regarding the Folbigg case, the dubious part of the investigation was mostly the diagnosis of the different genes. The girls' genes carried heart arrhythmia, and the boys' genes were known to carry seizures.
She is not alone; similar issues with different genes have also been diagnosed in other families, having fewer children passing away.

Nature can be very cruel, so I give her the benefit of the doubt.

 

[DLHM]

In the case of Scott Austic’s wrongful conviction for murder and spending nearly 13 years in prison, the investigation was a sham from the beginning.

I was a friend of his parents and of Scott in Boddington, so I followed the case closely. After the discovery of the police intervention of planting “evidence”, it was shown he had been wrongly convicted. Scott was framed by the Boddington police.

How terrible the family suffered from this miscarriage of “justice”. The conviction literally killed his dad. He died from a heart attack a few years later.

I don’t have much faith in the judicial system and those who claim to “uphold the laws” of said system.

I have many reasons.

 

[Leenie]

How much was paid to the lady (and I use the term loosely) who was allegedly raped in Parliament House and the case never went to trial. She was just given a handout. Our Legal system needs a bloody good shake up. I was taken for a ride many years ago by a solicitor who was disbarred before my case went to court and finally told me after the case that she "could not represent me any more". It was bit late then, and then she went bankrupt.

Two and a half million .

 

[Suzanne rose]

Sorry, but I disagree. The hereditary illness that the kids carried was not a new incident.
Having volunteered to work with intellectual adults and children from age 9, and was then employed at the home 9 years later, I've always been intrigued with hereditary phenomena.

When a cousin of mine had 2 kids with severe Craniosynostosis (protruding forehead) also, when I worked for a science professor who was a maxillofacial surgeon, I was hooked!
You will be more than surprised at what odd discrepancies occur in the human body.

Regarding the Folbigg case, the dubious part of the investigation was mostly the diagnosis of the different genes. The girls' genes carried heart arrhythmia, and the boys' genes were known to carry seizures.
She is not alone; similar issues with different genes have also been diagnosed in other families, having fewer children passing away.

Nature can be very cruel, so I give her the benefit of the doubt.

I'm glad there are people who believe her but I for one don't. Maybe one or even two babies died but 4 !!!

 

[Still Ebby]

How would the forum members feel if they were in Mrs Folbergs place and went to jail for something they weren’t guilty of , most are of the opinion she is guilty.
My story is a little different when my second daughter was born , I was unable to convince DRsthere was something wrong with her only to be told I had a beautiful healthy daughter. Unable to convince them she had trouble breathing, until a baby specialist started ,and he told me she had an enlarged liver , and operated and was unable to find the cause , she died twice in theatre . She was five and a half months old. The week before her 1st birthday she had an episode and was rushed to the Mater hospital, where the Nuns baptised her she was allowed home a few days later only to pass away while I was bathing her .She was 1 year and 3 days old. It was after the autopsy they found the cause of her illness , she had four cusps in the pulmonary artery? Where it should have been three ,so when the blood was pumped to her heart they never closed . So please don’t jump to conclusions as Dr can be wrong .



find.

So sorry to hear this it must have been heartbreaking for you.
l agree it would be dreadful to be convicted of something you didn't do and the sadness of loosing your children on top of it.l have read of numerous cases where parents have been accused and it turns out it was something wrong with the child .Like Patricia Stallings accused of giving her son antifreeze when he really had MMA. Lucky for her she had a second son who was put into protective custody but found out he to had MMA .
Only Mrs Folberg knows and if she is guilty and. has to live with it.20 years is a long time if you are innocent.

 

[Jo Piper3]

Suzanne, oh well, we’ll just hand the responsibility for prosecuting, judgng and sentencing over to you and I’m sure we’ll all feel a lot more secure and comfortable. Your ignorance is breath-taking.

This is a venue for different opinions. Maybe be a bit kinder in your comments?

 

[Sherril54]

I always thought Kathleen Folbigg was odd, but that does not make her a murderer. Remember Lindy Chamberlain, she was wrongly convicted of murdering her daughter,"Azaria". Lindy`s personality did not help her cause, nor did Kathleen`s. One of the biggest problems with this case, was that 4 children died. I could not get my head around why she continued to have more children, the first 2 would have been enough.
Anyway modern science raised a flag indicating that the children suffered from rare genetic defects, and this led to their deaths.
So if is the case and the Legal System believes that she is innocent , this decision should be accepted. And yes if this is the case, she should be awarded compensation for the system failing her and her children. And no $2 million just does not cover it. (Don`t forget the Legal fees will probably amount to half of any money she is awarded).

 

[kaybe]

After all this poor woman went through she deserves more than $7 million. Though this will never make up for the trauma and the lost 20 years she spent in gaol!

 

[Parrot]

I still believe She is guilty purely because the prosecution failed to do their job
It’s not a case of 1 or 2 Babies that died but 4 little innocent children lost their lives.
I hope She can sleep at night with a clear conscience

 

[RealityCheck]

Thus article falsely reports, & many replies state that she was compensated for miscarriage of justice. Many are saying she was wrongly convicted. However the questions raised on the genetics found in her 2 daughters was one which MIGHT have resulted in their deaths (not everyone with this genetic disorder die as a result, but all Ms. Folbigg's did), & the sons were unaffected, so their deaths remain highly suspicious.

Now at law, reasonable doubt may now be inferred for 2 of the deaths. Fair enough. The only reasonable alternative to quashing her sentence would be re-trial. After 20 years in prison, the cost of a re-trial & the likelihood of a sentence of time served for a double homicide conviction makes the $2M ex-gratia payment quite reasonable & a responsible decision for the state budget.

Naturally, Ms. Folbigg retains the right to take the matter for more compensation to the courts. This will result in the evidence being re-tested. Including for the boys who died. And there is the possibility of her losing the case, & having costs awarded against her.

Only Ms. Folbigg knows for absolute certain about her innocence or not. Her ex-husband thinks she did it. Much of the evidence suggests she did it. Does she really want to have the evidence re-tested & risk losing her current supporters following an adverse result? She has received enough for a comfortable rest of her life & should bow out of the public-eye while retaining the support she currently has.

 

[7777]

How would the forum members feel if they were in Mrs Folbergs place and went to jail for something they weren’t guilty of , most are of the opinion she is guilty.
My story is a little different when my second daughter was born , I was unable to convince DRsthere was something wrong with her only to be told I had a beautiful healthy daughter. Unable to convince them she had trouble breathing, until a baby specialist started ,and he told me she had an enlarged liver , and operated and was unable to find the cause , she died twice in theatre . She was five and a half months old. The week before her 1st birthday she had an episode and was rushed to the Mater hospital, where the Nuns baptised her she was allowed home a few days later only to pass away while I was bathing her .She was 1 year and 3 days old. It was after the autopsy they found the cause of her illness , she had four cusps in the pulmonary artery? Where it should have been three ,so when the blood was pumped to her heart they never closed . So please don’t jump to conclusions as Dr can be wrong .



find

Dear member Leenie, thankyou for your post. May your dear beautiful daughters soul rest in peace, God bless,

 

[Littleboy8]

Oh well you know the old saying “Guilty until proven innocent”

 

[Littleboy8]

Thus article falsely reports, & many replies state that she was compensated for miscarriage of justice. Many are saying she was wrongly convicted. However the questions raised on the genetics found in her 2 daughters was one which MIGHT have resulted in their deaths (not everyone with this genetic disorder die as a result, but all Ms. Folbigg's did), & the sons were unaffected, so their deaths remain highly suspicious.

Now at law, reasonable doubt may now be inferred for 2 of the deaths. Fair enough. The only reasonable alternative to quashing her sentence would be re-trial. After 20 years in prison, the cost of a re-trial & the likelihood of a sentence of time served for a double homicide conviction makes the $2M ex-gratia payment quite reasonable & a responsible decision for the state budget.

Naturally, Ms. Folbigg retains the right to take the matter for more compensation to the courts. This will result in the evidence being re-tested. Including for the boys who died. And there is the possibility of her losing the case, & having costs awarded against her.

Only Ms. Folbigg knows for absolute certain about her innocence or not. Her ex-husband thinks she did it. Much of the evidence suggests she did it. Does she really want to have the evidence re-tested & risk losing her current supporters following an adverse result? She has received enough for a comfortable rest of her life & should bow out of the public-eye while retaining the support she currently has.

I recently read somewhere her husband refused to give a dna test for the 2 boys who died.

 

[Littleboy8]

I always thought Kathleen Folbigg was odd, but that does not make her a murderer. Remember Lindy Chamberlain, she was wrongly convicted of murdering her daughter,"Azaria". Lindy`s personality did not help her cause, nor did Kathleen`s. One of the biggest problems with this case, was that 4 children died. I could not get my head around why she continued to have more children, the first 2 would have been enough.
Anyway modern science raised a flag indicating that the children suffered from rare genetic defects, and this led to their deaths.
So if is the case and the Legal System believes that she is innocent , this decision should be accepted. And yes if this is the case, she should be awarded compensation for the system failing her and her children. And no $2 million just does not cover it. (Don`t forget the Legal fees will probably amount to half of any money she is awarded).

Maybe she wanted kids so badly that she hoped she’d get a baby with no defects.

 

[Towing]

Many years ago I was told I didn't have a certain gene but it wasn't the one they were actually looking for.
I have recently been told that I do have the gene but only a minute amount and that it should never be a problem for me. However my niece was recently asked it is hereditary in her family. Her Grandma and Great Uncle had it. He had chronic level.