Bill Shorten has launched a furious bid to stop one of Australia’s worst rapists from receiving a support package from the National Disability Insurance Scheme when he is released from prison amid fears he could strike again.
Wayne Wilmot, who was involved in the gang rape and murder of bank teller Janine Balding in 1988 and is now in his early 50s, will be freed after spending almost his entire adult life in prison.
This despite a forensic psychologist finding that he represents a “significant risk” of reoffending because he continues to “support sexual violence towards women.”
The Australian reported that Wilmot had received a support package from the NDIS, including up to 24 hours of help each week to reintegrate into society due to his severe personality disorder and psychopathic tendencies.
But now NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has revealed his office is working to block funding for Wilmot and insisted responsibility for community safety lies with NSW Corrective Services.
“The NDIS cannot be responsible for offenders who are on parole,” Shorten told WhatsNew2Day Australia.
‘Being a criminal is not a disability. Being a sexual predator is not a disability.’
Wayne Wilmot (pictured, left), who is now in his early 50s and was involved in the gang rape and murder of bank teller Janine Balding in 1988 (pictured below), will be released from custody after spending almost his entire adult life. Life in prison
But now NDIS Minister Bill Shorten (pictured) has revealed his office is working to block Wilmot funding and said responsibility for community safety lies with the NSW Department of Corrections.
‘We do not believe it is appropriate for this person to receive NDIS-funded community support in this case, and we are working to ensure this is the outcome within the law.
Mr Shorten said the wider problem of criminals self-managing their NDIS schemes had been “festering” for years, but the Albanian government was committed to stopping it.
“The NDIS cannot be the dumping ground for state justice systems to keep Australians safe from violent criminals,” he said.
“I am writing to states to demand that they start reporting and stop keeping the NDIA in the dark when a serious criminal is released from their prisons.”
Shorten insisted state governments needed to step up and address law and order issues.
Wilmot’s extensive criminal history officially began with a sexual attack on a woman walking in a park when he was 13, after which he reportedly said, “I have… a problem” and “This is not the case.” first time I’ve done it.” this’.
He later served eight years for his role in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Mrs Balding, committed when she was 15 years old.
The 20-year-old bank teller was kidnapped at a Sydney train station by a gang of homeless youths and one of them was heard saying: “Why don’t we get a sheila and rape her?”
Mrs Balding was held at knifepoint and repeatedly raped.
Wilmot remained in the car when Ms Balding was tied, gagged and thrown over a fence before being held underwater in a dam until she drowned.
He has committed sexual offenses against women and men, involving at least eight victims, including a woman he beat, tied up and raped at another Sydney train station in 1998.
The sentencing judge determined that the victim “was subjected to extreme brutality and sexual violation,” which had a devastating impact on her.
The 20-year-old bank teller (pictured) was kidnapped from a Sydney train station by a gang of five homeless youths before being repeatedly raped.
In 2019, Wilmot was ordered to remain in prison under a continuing detention order (CDO), despite serving his sentence.
In granting the CDO, Judge Julia Lonergan highlighted Wilmot’s “appalling criminal history and pattern of offending” and ruled that he posed an “unacceptable risk of committing another serious crime if he was not detained in accordance with the order.”
He also blamed his victims, lacked insight, and had a personality disorder and antisocial and aggressive traits and behaviors.
Another CDO was granted, but now the state of New South Wales has been granted an interim extended supervision order.
This means that Wilmot can be released under extremely strict supervision that monitors his movements and internet use.
“Supervision will be at a high level and the defendant will be required to adhere to a movement schedule, observe a curfew (9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) and wear an electronic monitoring device,” Judge Wilson reportedly said.
Shorten (pictured) said “the NDIS cannot be the dumping ground for state justice systems to keep Australians safe from violent criminals”.
The New South Wales Supreme Court heard a forensic psychologist’s report that found Wilmot felt entitled to “simply take whatever she wanted”, believing some women “deserve sexual violence depending on their dress, level of intoxication or permissiveness.” perceived”.
The psychologist told the court the risk Wilmot posed “likely involved a penetrative sexual attack on a young woman of whom he was previously unaware”.
“Any crime would likely be impulsive, opportunistic and target a vulnerable woman,” the psychologist said.
“Physical coercion and threats would likely be used. The risk of such a situation occurring is well above average.’
Wilmot’s case will be heard again on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the National Disability Insurance Agency, responsible for implementing the NDIS, said NSW Corrections was in charge of managing Wilmot’s eventual release.
“The NDIS is neither responsible nor designed to address community safety,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that final NDIS supports are not yet determined for Wilmot.
“If a participant has a criminal record involving violent crimes, the NDIA can and does place an alert on his or her record and takes steps to enforce stricter plan management settings that restrict the participant to only use registered providers for services. of the NDIS,” the spokesperson said. .
“If a participant is identified as a potential risk, the NDIA may also take steps to ensure that only appropriate people (for example, male workers only) can provide this support.”