The New South Wales government has launched an inquiry into the convictions of notorious Australian serial killer Kathleen Folbigg.
Folbigg was found guilty by a jury in 2003 of murdering three of her infant children and the manslaughter of a fourth. She is currently halfway through serving a 30-year prison sentence for the killings, which took place in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
Caleb died at 19 days old in 1989, Patrick at eight months old in 1991, Sarah at 10 months old in 1993, and Laura at 19 months old in 1999.
Prosecutors argued at trial that over the course of a decade Folbigg smothered her children and then claimed to have found them dead in their beds. Folbigg's incriminating diary entries were used against her at trial.
Her defence argued that there were natural causes for the deaths.
In 2015 a petition for judicial review of Folbigg's convictions was submitted to the NSW governor-general. It included a report from forensic pathologist professor Stephen Cordner, who concluded Caleb and Sarah died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), that Patrick's death was due to his epilepsy, and that Laura died from myocarditis.
NSW attorney-general Mark Speakman announced the inquiry on Wednesday, saying it was necessary to ensure public confidence in the justice system.
"Today’s decision is not based on any assessment of Ms Folbigg’s guilt," he said.
Speakman said that the petition raised doubts over evidence in Folbigg's trial about other reported instances of three or more infants in the same family dying due to unidentified natural cases.
Former District Court judge Reginald Blanch will conduct the inquiry. If he finds there is reasonable doubt as to Folbigg's guilt, he can refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Speakman said he had spoken with the father of the four children, Craig Folbigg, to explain the "immensely difficult decision". He apologised for the distress and pain the process would cause Craig Folbigg and his family.
Kathleen Folbigg will continue to serve her sentence while the inquiry takes place.
An episode of the ABC TV show Australian Story aired in recent weeks documented the fight for Folbigg's convictions to be inspected by the state.