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Dangerous sex predator must not be released in Kilburn and suburb is not Adelaide’s dumping ground, says Federal MP Kate Ellis

EXCLUSIVE: Kilburn residents have already suffered enough trauma through pollution and violence and should not have to also endure a dangerous sex predator in their suburb, a Federal MP says.

Kate Ellis in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber in Parliament House in Canberra.
Kate Ellis in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber in Parliament House in Canberra.

KILBURN residents have already suffered enough trauma through pollution and violence and should not have to also endure a dangerous sex predator in their suburb, a Federal MP says.

Federal Member for Adelaide Kate Ellis has told The Advertiser that Kilburn should not be “Adelaide’s dumping ground” for problems like paedophile Gavin Shaun Schuster.

The Supreme Court is considering releasing Schuster, who has spent 16 years in jail for crimes against children, to a Kilburn facility just a few hundred metres from two playgrounds.

Ms Ellis has urged Attorney-General John Rau to intervene in the case, saying the area’s residents have already endured more than their fare share of hardship.

Her passionate defence comes just weeks after her prospective Liberal opponent, David Colovic, referred to the suburb as “the poor end” of town.

“Kilburn residents have consistently had to put up with issues that would not be acceptable in other communities such as pollution levels, violence and general unrest,” she said.

“Kilburn should not be Adelaide’s dumping ground and local residents deserve better ... they should not have to worry about the release of this violent offender into their community.”

Mr Rau has previously intervened in another pedophile’s freedom bid — that of serial offender Mark Trevor Marshall, who sought release in 2014.

Attorney-General John Rau.
Attorney-General John Rau.

At the time he dubbed his actions “unusual”, only to press on after Marshall abandoned his application and insist the court formally dismiss it.

On Friday, however, Mr Rau declined to become involved in the Schuster case, deeming it a “matter for the court”.

Since the age of 12, Schuster has befriended children, both boys and girls, and then sexually abused them when he feels “frustrated” with daily life.

Now 40, he has been indefinitely detained as an uncontrollable sex predator since 2000 save for a short period in 2008, when he was released and immediately reoffended.

His current bid for supervised release began in 2013, but has stalled due to a lack of suitable accommodation for him.

Schuster’s doctors insist he must be released now to avoid institutionalisation, while Justice John Sulan has conceded he will “always” be a risk but “nothing is perfect in this world”.

Following Schuster’s last court hearing, parents in the Prospect and Kilburn areas said they feared he would be “tempted” by the proximity of the playgrounds.

They said their children deserved to be able to play outside without thinking “is this person going to be there?”.

On Friday, Ms Ellis said the State Government should address those concerns by intervening in Schuster’s bid for release.

“I am completely opposed to the release of this offender and I request that Mr Rau use all available powers to stop this from happening,” she said.

“More specifically, I ask that he take steps to guarantee this individual will never be resettled in Kilburn.”

On Friday, Mr Rau said he shared Ms Ellis’ concerns.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed Mr Schuster’s application for release,” he said.

“The matter is now for the determination of the courts.”

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/dangerous-sex-predator-must-not-be-released-in-kilburn-and-suburb-is-not-adelaides-dumping-ground-says-federal-mp-kate-ellis/news-story/f9751188cd639dd14be3e40eecb482c6