Kathleen Folbigg’s solicitor says a $2 million payout from the NSW government is “profoundly unfair and unjust” after spending 20 years in prison.

Attorney-General Michael Daley granted a compensation payment to Ms Folbigg, who was exonerated of killing her four children after spending two decades in jail for their deaths.

Ms Folbigg was convicted in 2003 of killing her four children between 1989 and 1999.

Following a seven-week trial, a jury found Ms Folbigg guilty of the murders of Patrick, Sarah and Laura, and the manslaughter of Caleb.

In 2023 Ms Folbigg’s convictions were quashed and in 2024 she applied for a compensation payment.

The state government said it had agreed to a request from Ms Folbigg to not publicly discuss the details of the compensation decision.

“The decision follows thorough and extensive consideration of the materials and issues raised in Ms Folbigg’s application and provided by her legal representatives,” Mr Daley said.

‘Fight should be over,’ lawyer says

In a statement issued by Ms Folbigg’s solicitor, Rhanee Rego, said her client continues to feel the lasting effects of this ongoing trauma.

“Kathleen Folbigg spent two decades in prison, yet for her wrongful imprisonment she has been offered $2 million,” the statement read.

“When Lindy Chamberlain was exonerated in 1994, she received $1.7 million for three years in prison.”

Ms Rego said the payment “does not reflect the extent of the pain and suffering Kathleen has endured”. 

“This should be about the system recognising the significance of what it did to her.

“An inquiry is needed to understand how the government decided on this figure.”

Ms Rego said the system had failed Ms Folbigg again.

“Kathleen Folbigg’s fight should be over. After being failed at her conviction and abused in prison, she is now being treated with contempt by the very system that should be making amends,” Ms Rego said.

“This is profoundly unfair and unjust.”