Tina Terlato allowed to work with children despite being convicted of infanticide
A footy diehard who killed her baby daughter remains able to work with children in the Essendon cheer squad, despite her convictions.
Police & Courts
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A mother who killed her baby continues to hold a working with children permit, despite strong calls from the baby’s family and politicians for it to be revoked.
Tina Terlato pleaded guilty to infanticide after her eight-week-old baby Amanda died with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain in April 2012, while her twin sister Alicia suffered terrible injuries leaving her with lifelong brain injuries.
Terlato’s name, and those of the children, were suppressed eight years ago by court orders that expired in late 2019.
The Sunday Herald Sun previously revealed Ms Terlato, a footy diehard and a member of the Essendon cheer squad, holds a working with children permit and can actively work alongside children making banners, despite her convictions.
In May, Shadow Attorney-General Edward O’Donohue called for an “urgent review” of working with children checks.
But in a letter to Amanda and Alicia’s family, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes wrote: “As Attorney-General, I am unable to intervene in individual assessments and cannot seek an appeal with respect to decision made.”
“Internal reassessments of a decision to give a person a working with children check can only be conducted if a relevant change in circumstances occurs with respect to the WWCC card holder,” she said.
Ms Symes said she acknowledged the deep hurt and grief the family suffered.
“Keeping our children safe is always a priority of this government and we regularly review the WWCC scheme to ensure it is as stringent as possible.”
Mr O’Donohue said Ms Symes response “cold and callous” and believed, showed a complete lack of empathy, compassion and understanding for the continued grief and trauma suffered by the family as a result of their horrendous loss.
Amanda and Alicia’s aunty and uncle Michelle and Joe, said they were “extremely disappointed” by the Attorney-General’s response.
“This just shows there are clear loopholes in the system and it’s so frustrating that she can still be granted a working with children check, despite what’s happened,” they said.
“Our family deserves justice after all this time and we don’t want another family to go through what we have.”
Tina Terlato did not respond to requests for comment.
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