Sister of murder victim Anne-Marie Culleton launches petition to keep killer rapists in jail

Murder victim Anne-Marie Culleton’s sister has launched a national petition calling for mandatory life sentences without parole for rapist killers.

The release on parole of a rapist murderer could spark a national review of sentencing laws with at least three states prepared to look at toughening sentences for domestic and family homicides, in a move that could go before the next State Attorneys-General gathering.

From her home on the NSW north coast Eileen Culleton has launched a national petition calling for law reform to remove parole options for rapist killers after the murder of her sister Anne-Marie Culleton.

In it she lists examples from various states of sex offenders getting parole and going on to reoffend including murder and has already attracted thousands of signatures in support.

Anne-Marie was 20 and living in Darwin in 1988 when in the night of February 22 her neighbour Jonathan Peter Bakewell broke into the flat where she was sleeping before torturing, raping and choking her to death.

Eileen Culleton, sister of murdered rape victim Anne-Marie Culleton, working on starting a national petition for mandatory sentencing law reform which has already attracted thousands of supporters.

He was sentenced to life in 1989 but given parole in 2016, breached parole and was jailed again four times before being released from a South Australian jail again in October last year.

SA Parole Board chairwoman Frances Nelson QC declared at the time he was unlikely to reoffend and the laws in that state were clear.

Eileen Culleton petitioned the South Australian authorities for justice for her sister but failing there has now turned to the public with a national campaign for law reform where life sentences with no parole exist for sexual assault/murders for other potential victims and families.

And help could come from NSW, Queensland and Victorian authorities with NSW Attorney-General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman agreeing laws had to match community expectations and Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman saying she would listen.

The Victorian Government too yesterday said it was on board to participate in a national discussion.

Anne-Marie Culleton, who was raped and murdered in 1988. Picture: Supplied by the Culleton family

Last Christmas with Anne-Marie 1987. Anne-Marie, Rita, Eileen, Mum, Theresa (child Daniel) Culleton. Picture: Culleton family album

Speaking about the national Culleton petition, Mr Speakman said moves were already afoot in NSW to address perceived shortcomings.

“I could never fully comprehend the ongoing anguish suffered by those whose loved ones are murdered and violated in this way. I recognise that no punishment would ever be enough to erase the grief of these terrible crimes,” he said, adding even though life sentences existed, some courts retained the power to impose lesser sentences.

“Because of my concern that sentences for murder in NSW may not be consistent with community expectations, I asked the NSW Sentencing Council to prepare a review of sentencing for homicides, including domestic and family violence homicides.”

That report due soon is expected to go to all state attorneys general.

Ms Fentiman said she was committed to working with her Corrective Services and the police minister on sentencing and parole “to ensure we have a fair and just legal system”.

“And I would welcome a discussion with Eileen Culleton on what more we could do here in Queensland,” she said.

Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy agreed sentences had to reflect safety of Victorians.

“What happened to Anne-Marie Culleton was a horrendous act – the effects of which are still felt by her family and friends every day,” she said.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Every woman has the right to live her life without fear – that’s why we’ve strengthened our laws to protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. This included creating a ‘standard sentence’ scheme which increased sentences for 12 of Victoria’s most serious crimes, including murder, rape and sexual offences involving children, as well as increasing penalties for manslaughter.

“Too many women continue to be murdered in Australia by men intent on robbing them of their dignity, and our sentencing laws must recognise this.”

Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter said a meeting of attorneys general could be the forum to raise such issues.

“The Attorney-General is aware of the petition and the sad history attached to it,” a spokesman for Mr Porter said yesterday.

“As murder-rape offences are state/territory offences, it’s appropriate that any push for reform in this area is driven by state and territory jurisdictions.”

Mrs Culleton said all states should be concerned with “life” not literally meaning life in most circumstances.

“It is a state issue but violence against women is a national crisis,” she said yesterday.

“It just needs to go on the agenda for discussion, the public don’t realise that life doesn’t necessarily mean life.

“One in five women in Australia are sexually assaulted and one woman a week is murdered. A national crisis demands a national response. We need national laws to send a strong message in society and help to reduce all violent crimes against women,” she said.

She added the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) recommended Australia adopt federal legislation to better address violence against women.

“There is little I can do about Bakewell but I can certainly fight for law reform to prevent more women being raped and murdered,” she said.