Woman wins right to sue Queensland over alleged historic sexual and physical abuse as a ‘state child’

High court rules Aboriginal woman Joanne Willmot can pursue damages for abuse allegedly suffered in state care more than 60 years ago

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The high court has ruled an Aboriginal woman can pursue damages on some allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse while in state care in Queensland.

Joanne Willmot, 70, had tried to sue the Queensland government for almost $1.76m in damages, claiming she suffered a psychiatric injury as a “state child” decades ago.

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