Fardon remains under close watch

Repeat sex offender Robert John Fardon will wear a GPS tracker and remain under a 24-hour curfew on prison grounds, following a decision by the Supreme Court to release him again today.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleije praised Queensland Corrective Services officers, who had moved swiftly to ensure families were kept safe.

“Robert John Fardon has been closely watched since the Supreme Court’s original decision to release him in December and Corrective Services officers acted quickly and appropriately when they heard that he was allegedly planning to escape,” Mr Bleijie said.

“While the Supreme Court found Corrective Services acted on reasonable suspicion, today it ordered Fardon be released due to the informant refusing to give evidence.

“We share the community’s frustration when dangerous offenders are released and we will always fight to ensure they are kept away from the community.

“The Government promised families that it would make this state the safest place to raise a family and Queensland now has the strongest anti-sex offender legislation in Australia following extensive reforms. The Government is also reviewing the state’s dangerous offender legislation with a view to strengthening it further.”

Robert John Fardon will return to his strict supervision order, which includes living in accommodation on correctional centre grounds, a 24-hour curfew and wearing a GPS tracker.

[ENDS] 16 September 2014

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Jaime Wells 0409 624 139