Hoddle Street massacre gunman seeks veterans’ help

Mass murderer and former Army cadet Julian Knight is seeking veterans’ help – possibly for compensation.

Julian Knight in his prison cell in 1996.

Mass murderer Julian Knight is writing personal letters to veteran groups and agencies seeking details of their policies as he appears again to want to build a case for compensation.

Knight is serving life in Victoria’s maximum security Port Phillip Prison for killing seven people and injuring 19 others in the August 1987 Hoddle Street massacre.

In 2016 he lost his bid to receive Commonwealth compensation for abuse he suffered while a cadet at Canberra’s Royal Military College Duntroon; he has alleged bullying at the college in the months leading to the massacre was culpable for his actions.

Hoddle street mass murder Julian Knight during his time in the Australian Defence Force. Picture: Supplied

Knight, 55, has launched numerous legal challenges from his jail cell for things from his jailing conditions and treatment to “price gouging” for prison phone calls and had prompted law reviews to stop his vexatious claims and a nuisance to the community.

But the failed Army officer cadet had been quiet for years but is now again reaching out to RSL and other veteran groups for their handbooks and guidelines on services, benefits and welfare treatments available and has so far been refused.

Hoddle Street mass killer Julian Knight leaves the Supreme Court in Melbourne in 2012 where he was told he had no prospect for release in the foreseeable future. Picture: AAP

“Late last year RSL Victoria received a letter from Julian Knight,” RSL Victoria boss Sue Cattermole said.

“RSL Victoria replied, informing him that any further correspondence would not be responded to. No further correspondence has been received from Julian Knight.”

Speaking via his website and associates, Knight confirmed he wanted to get a copy of their handbook “for its historical information” but would not say why.

Under heavy police guard, Julian Knight, 19, who shot dead 7 people and wounded 19 in Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill. Hoddle St massacre. Hoddle Street massacre. Shooting.

“I don’t know. Does it matter in the scheme of things about some handbook, or the RSL, or veterans groups?” an associate responded through the website.

He declined to say whether he was again attempting to get compensation.

Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety said it did not comment on the mail and packages sent or received by individual prisoners.

A person can however request unwanted mail be blocked.

In 2020 he sought the UN’s help to get access to crime scene photos and at one stage lost his right to an in-cell computer from which he would make his numerous demands and claims including more than 30 legal cases.

He was deemed vexatious for his frequent “merit-less” claims and has to apply to the courts to mount any formal judicial action.