A war veteran who was seriously injured in a violent assault on Anzac Day 2022 has yet to receive any compensation from the Victims of Crime fund more than four years after the attack. The veteran, who was left with permanent facial nerve damage and temporarily died for four minutes during the incident, has incurred approximately $150,000 in out-of-pocket expenses for ongoing surgeries and lost income. He has been forced to sell valuable possessions to cover medical costs and has only been able to work part-time since the attack.
The attacker, Kymbol Sheldon, was sentenced to prison in August, but the veteran’s sister, Melanie, says her brother still faces months of administrative hurdles before he can access compensation. She also points out that Sheldon’s parole hearing is scheduled for December, following backdating of his sentence that made him eligible for parole just one week after sentencing. “He could likely be out on parole before (my brother) sees a cent,” she said, criticizing the delay in victim support.
Melanie and her brother have called for a comprehensive review of the Victims of Crime Act amid concerns that the fund is failing to adequately assist victims in a timely manner.
The Victims of Crime fund was established in the 1980s to provide financial support for survivors covering medical, psychological, and funeral expenses, as well as loss of income. It is financed through a levy paid by individuals convicted of crimes or fined for offences, along with confiscated criminal assets.
Despite complaints from victims, the Attorney-General’s Department reported substantial expenditure from the fund in recent years. In the 2025-26 financial year alone, more than $108 million was paid out, while the fund balance stood at $215 million by the end of that period—a decrease of $36 million from the previous year.
The case has also drawn attention from other survivors. Kylie Bailey, a child sex abuse survivor, described her experience with the compensation system as deeply frustrating after her claim was denied. Bailey explained that her compensation was rejected following a retrial granted to her abuser, Jeffrey Thomas Brant, which she found emotionally devastating. “The trauma itself is more than enough to live with, let alone having your life put on hold for years awaiting an outcome,” she said, underscoring calls for a “massive overhaul” of the system.
Victims and advocates contend that the current process is bureaucratic and slow, leaving many survivors without timely assistance. Meanwhile, government officials emphasize the continuing financial support provided by the fund but acknowledge the growing concerns and calls for reform.