Two staff members from the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice have been suspended following a review into the placement of two foster children with a convicted triple killer. The investigation, led by department secretary Michael Tidball, identified “significant failures” that allowed children aged 12 and 14 to live alongside Regina Arthurell until her removal last month.
Systemic Failures and Ignored Warnings
A review made public on Wednesday revealed that the department received a warning about Arthurell’s presence in the home on December 23 via the Child Protection Helpline. However, the report was closed due to the fact that information regarding Arthurell’s age, mobility and supervision was deemed “unverified.”
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington stated that the report was not investigated despite the department having the necessary resources and capacity. Washington noted that the decision to close the report without investigation was contrary to departmental policies and procedures.
The review identified a second critical failure on March 5, when a second child was moved into the home. This approval occurred without a “simple check” of the department’s system, which would have flagged the concerns raised in December.
The Criminal History of Regina Arthurell
Regina Arthurell has been convicted of murder and two counts of manslaughter. Her history includes the 1974 stabbing death of her stepfather and the 1981 killing of a 19-year-old during a robbery in the Northern Territory.
In 1995, while on parole for manslaughter, Arthurell killed her former partner, Venet Raylee Mulhall, by bludgeoning her to death in Coonabarabran. She was sentenced to 24 years in prison and was released in November 2020 under an extended supervision order (ESO).
The ESO expired in December 2024 and was not extended by the NSW attorney general. Following the recent revelations, the review concluded that information was accepted at face value and children were not placed at the center of decision-making processes.
Political Fallout and Accountability
The situation came to light after 2GB radio revealed the placement, prompting Kate Washington to apologize on air. The removal of Arthurell from the home occurred only two days after the radio station’s report.
Washington, who has faced calls for her resignation, confirmed that the two suspended staff members are facing misconduct investigations. She stated that their future remains a “decision to be made by the department.”
A 2GB caller, identifying as the daughter of the woman Arthurell lived with, claimed she had alerted NSW police and Corrective Services after her December attempt to warn the Department of Communities and Justice failed. NSW police visited the home in February, though Arthurell was not present at the time.
Potential Next Steps
The suspended staff members may face further disciplinary action or termination depending on the outcome of the misconduct investigations. The department could be forced to implement more rigorous mandatory checking protocols to prevent similar oversight.
Given the “significant failures” identified in the review, there may be increased pressure for further systemic audits of foster care placements within the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the department staff suspended?
Two staff members were stood down pending misconduct investigations into allegations that they failed to follow departmental policies and procedures regarding the assessment of risk and the triage of reports.
What were the specific failures identified in the review?
The review found that a public warning in December was closed as “unverified” without investigation and that a second child was placed in the home in March without a system check that would have revealed previous concerns.
What is the criminal background of Regina Arthurell?
Arthurell is a convicted triple killer with convictions for the 1974 stabbing of her stepfather, a 1981 killing during a robbery, and the 1995 murder of her former partner, Venet Raylee Mulhall.
Do you believe current foster care screening processes are sufficient to protect vulnerable children?
