What we're talking about

Pauline on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' DHS have destroyed my own family. They failed in their duty of care to provide a baby moniter for the deaf , thousands of ... more
Christine on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' isn't it funny how DHS don't recognise the psychological effects of domestic violence on children and continue to allow ... more
Warrior princess on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' There is a family In the Cairns Area who are Foster Carers.Atherton Child Safety have threatened the carers and own ... more
duncan on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' i have spent time with this family. it is a house full of love. "mum", grandfather and older sblings.this cannot be an issue ... more
Tracey on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Family Law is different from the rest of the law in this country.. Ie. Family Law is based on probability: ie if it might ... more
carol annetta on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' having known this family for some time i am disgusted with the treatment she has received. it seems more of a witch hunt ... more
Maureen Hillary on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Derryn,I have counselled traumatized parents as a result of DHS staff.There are great staff workers who care but they ... more
Janet Tavener on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' I am a visitor to this country.My attention was drawn to the case of these children and their foster mother by a relative of ... more
sam on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Happening in Tasmania also.Wewon a court case over 8 months ago and due process still hasn't been done.We spent 17,000 ... more
Anne Glover on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' I just cannot believe what the DHS has put the Foster Mother, and the children through - I thought the DHS was supposed to ... more
Tracey on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' DHS are the most disgraceful organization I have ever had the displeasure of becoming involved with. They are so ... more
Vicki on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Hi Derryn,I have known this carer since primary school, she has always put others above herself. Being a carer myself I know ... more
Gran'ma Pam on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' As any of us with any sense know, these children should NEVER have been taken from this lady (mum) in the first place, they ... more
Dominic Lombardo on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' I see my daughter every six months DHS are conducting a vendetta against me I have not been told why I can only see her ... more
cassy houghton on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Hello Derryn,Firstly i would like to thankyou for your support and the willingness to help this beautiful family.I ... more
Warrior princess on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Im a carer also in Qld. I see this happen way too much from our Government. They are starting to use Carers own children as ... more
paul on "I'll pay the fee," says Hinch I believe what Liberal Party has done is stupid. But I feel for candidates like Joh Bauch and James Buonopane who want to ... more
Andrea on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Why are these public servants allowed to blatantly flout the law without the same consequences the rest of society faces? I ... more
birth mother on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' i am the birth morther of these 4 children and i just want to say dhs dont care they just want the kids in care so they can ... more
Frances Goff on Help Hinch fight DHS 'pinheads' Derryn, Firstly, Happy BirthdayHaving worked in a primary school for 15 year I have seen some terrible things regarding DHS ... more

Hinch Blog: Courting Justice

Posted by: Derryn Hinch | 17 March, 2010 - 4:14 PM

Maybe I am too much of an optimist. Maybe it is because I have been fighting this cause for 25 years.

Maybe it's because I went to jail over it. And maybe will again. But I am starting to feel that finally something positive is happening in a campaign to make our courts more open. To make our judges more accountable. To make them realise that the community, our community/ their community, no longer believes that justice is being done let alone being seen to be done.

Soon I'll be in the High Court arguing on behalf of the more than 7,000 people who signed the Name Them Shame Them petition that demanded convicted serial rapists and child molesters, who are still a risk to the community, should not have their names suppressed.

Last week the State Government went against its own new sex offender secrecy policy over the naming of a dangerous serial offender who attacked eight women while wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet.

A Justice Department lawyer told the County Court that the department would seek to lift a suppression order on the man's name when he is arraigned on more sex charges next month.

In the past the Government has fought attempts to name offenders who are subjected to Extended Supervision Orders but have had their identities suppressed.

This latest case shows what a dangerous sick joke these suppression orders are. This man was on a night curfew, with a monitoring bracelet, when he launched a series of sex attacks. Because his name and photo were suppressed he could, and did, approach and stalk unsuspecting victims.

And in another encouraging sign the Geelong Advertiser has launched a petition to reveal the name of a convicted granny killer living in Geelong.

That woman, who was sexually assaulted and murdered was 75-year-old Marie Greening Zidan. Her daughter, Janine, has campaigned tirelessly for the killer’s names to be released since we campaigned for longer sentences for her two killers nearly a decade ago.

Yesterday the newspaper launched a petition. It said: "The Geelong Advertiser believes it is time for the laws to change and the identities of such brutal killers to be revealed in the interest of public safety. Current laws protect their identities being revealed."

"One of the thugs is now living in Geelong and despite being an adult he can keep his violent past hidden from people. He could be living in your street."

"Sign this petition and we will take the case up with Victorian Attorney General Rob Hulls."

Although I am optimistic - I'm not that optimistic. I had my petition of 7,000 names hand-delivered to both Hulls and Premier Brumby. After about six months of silence I received a note from Hulls' office saying that he understood the premier had written to me. He hadn't. Still hasn't. But in an election year it may be in the post.

Still, I am optimistic that things are changing. Too slowly, but changing.

What planet are they from?

How can a judge rule a girl must stay with the father who took pornoraphic photos of her? What the hell is going on? Hinch highlights two arguably horrible decisions. Read more by clicking the image on the right.