State vows to appeal Fardon call

THE State Government is to make another attempt to keep serial rapist Robert John Fardon under supervision.

Lawyers for the Government last week failed in a Supreme Court bid to have Fardon’s supervision order extended after it expires next month.

Gold Coast community leaders predicted Fardon would return to the Glitter Strip and reoffend, putting pressure on the Government to take further legal action.

After receiving legal advice, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath yesterday announced the Government would appeal the rejection of its bid to keep Fardon supervised.

“Like most Queenslanders, I want Robert John Fardon to be strictly supervised in the community,” Ms D’Ath said.

“That is why I took legal action to extend his current supervision order, which has been in place since 2013 and expires in October.

“Last week my application was rejected by the Supreme Court and I immediately sought legal advice to appeal that decision.

“After weighing up this advice, I will appeal the decision not to extend his supervision order past October.”

Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence director Di McLeod, who has cared for victims attacked by Fardon, predicted a predator like the 69year-old would almost certainly strike again and most likely on the Coast.

“He was born down here on the Tweed border. If past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour, then it’s not a matter of if but when he’s likely to offend again,” Ms McLeod said.