Dhakota Williams, the 14-year-old daughter of slain gangland figure Carl Williams, will receive a compensation payout from the Victorian government following her father’s murder in prison. The settlement, which remains confidential, comes after a lengthy legal process.
Carl Williams was beaten to death in April 2010 by fellow inmate Matthew Johnson using a piece of an exercise bike in their shared cell at Barwon Prison, near Geelong. The murder was motivated by Williams’s decision to become a police informer, according to a Victorian Ombudsman’s investigation.
The Victorian government has stated it accepts no liability in the case and that the settlement applies only to Dhakota. Her mother, Roberta, and grandfather, George, have dropped their separate claims against the government.
The opposition has criticised the payout, arguing that Victorians deserve to know why Premier Daniel Andrews approved the settlement. The Ombudsman’s investigation found that the prison failed in its duty of care to ensure Williams’s safety.
Dhakota will not receive any funds for at least three years, as the settlement is structured to be paid out over time.
