More should be done to hold violent offenders to account, the boss of a Lake Macquarie women and children's refuge says.
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The comments came after it was revealed that Tafari Walton, 21, was released from jail on parole and bail seven weeks ago. Walton was shot dead by police on Thursday less than 24 hours after he fatally stabbed Gabriella Thompson, his 27-year-old ex-partner and the mother of his child.
Nova for Women and Children CEO Kelly Hanson said society should demand changes to the legal system to keep women and children safe.
Related article: Mother's killer was on bail after alleged jail stabbing
"The judicial system continues to let women down by allowing these violent men to be released, at times, even before they have served their full jail terms," she said.
"Perpetrators of violence need to be held properly to account. It is not good enough that the legal system leaves women to try and keep themselves and their children safe."
Ms Hanson said Ms Thompson was not the first woman in this region to have been killed by a current or former partner on bail.
"One of our refuges, Trisha House, is named after one such woman," she said.
"She was gunned down on the streets of Newcastle some years ago by a former partner out on bail."
Walton's parole was due last December after he was jailed for a 2016 siege and firearm offences, but was delayed after he was charged over the alleged stabbing of another inmate at Mid North Coast Correctional Centre.
He was granted parole and bail and released on strict conditions when he faced Kempsey local court on the fresh charges on January 23.
Read more: Court and crime news
NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said on Friday the Department of Justice was preparing an "urgent briefing" and the government would consider recommendations after a Coronial inquest.
"The NSW government has the toughest bail laws in the country, however the door is never closed to reform," he said.
NSW Labor's spokesperson for the prevention of domestic violence Jenny Aitchison said her "sincere sympathies" went to Ms Thompson's family.
“This case has highlighted so many issues in the way we deal with domestic and family violence," she said.
"The domestic violence death review team was put in place under the former Labor government to address these kinds of cases and make recommendations for policy changes across government to save lives.
“The Liberals and Nationals stretched the reporting out to two years, meaning any lessons we could take from this horrific crime will take two years to get through the system."
Police Association of NSW executive Ian Allwood said bail and parole decisions were "always complex".
"There is no doubt the decision to release this man into the community will be scrutinised in the inquiry," he said. “The tragic incident at Glendale had ended two lives, families have lost loved ones and are in grief. It has affected many others in a profound way."
NSW Family and Community Services would not comment on whether Ms Thompson's child had been placed in the care of family or the state.
“FACS understands that at times the public’s concern is at odds with our statutory requirement to protect privacy. Nevertheless, FACS cannot comment on individual child protection matters," FACS said.
Fundraiser for 'loving mother'
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help the family of Gabriella Thompson, the 27-year-old fatally stabbed by her former partner in Glendale on Wednesday afternoon.
The page has raised more than $7000 since it was set up, with money set to go towards making sure Ms Thompson "has the best possible send off she deserves".
A message posted by the page's administrator paid tribute to the young mother.
“Wednesday the 13th March we lost our beautiful Gabby to DV [domestic violence] who has left behind a beautiful daughter who also lost her father in this tragic incident," the message read.
"She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunty and dear friend to so many.
“As I write this today with a heavy heart and face full of tears I want to help with any financial burden for Gab's family and make sure she has the best possible send off she deserves.
“You will be missed and forever in our hearts fly high with the angels baby girl. Love you always.”
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