The explosive database of DV thugs, killers and rapists that could be thrown ... trends now
An online court database with key details about rapists, thugs and killers could help curb Australia's surging domestic violence problem, but it's stuck behind a pricey paywall.
Domestic violence in Australia was branded a 'national crisis' by Anthony Albanese in the wake of 27 killings this year.
Twelve women died in alleged domestic violence incidents in April alone, bringing the national statistic up from one death per week to one every four days.
On Sunday, the mother of Dannielle Finlay-Jones - a Sydney woman who was brutally murdered by her Bumble date Ashley Gaddie in 2022 - said her daughter would be alive if her killer wasn't granted bail for violence against women.
Ms Finlay-Jones had no way of knowing Gaddie, 35, was halfway through a community corrections order for stalking and choking another woman when they met, or that five women had apprehended violence orders against him.
Her family has called for police checks on dating apps to protect women from perpetrators.
But a simpler solution for the government could be to open up the court records database which is only available to those able to pay $49.50 a month to access it.
Pictured: Dannielle Finlay-Jones who was murdered by her Bumble date in 2022
Her attacked, Ashley Gaddie (pictured), was on bail for assaulting a woman and had AVOs taken out on him by five women. He committed suicide in prison in April
Court Data Australia is privately-owned and allows users to search for an individual's court appearances by name and state or territory.
While it often doesn't show specific criminal charges or whether a charge was withdrawn or dismissed, it does show whether an individual has apprehended violence orders against them.
A search of Gaddie's name showed a total of 46 court appearances, including all five apprehended violence orders dating back to 2016.
But anyone wanting to make the most of the online service has to cough up $16.50 for two hours, $49.50 for one month, or $495 for an annual subscription.
Ms Finlay-Jones' mother Jacky told 60 Minutes on Sunday that her family hoped justice would be served in court when Gaddie was held accountable for murder.
But the ruthless killer took his own life in Clarence Correctional Centre while awaiting trial.
The pair met on Bumble and had been on two dates before December 2022 when they had a minor argument during a drinking game, and went back to her friend's house in Cranebrook.
When they hadn't surfaced by 2pm the following day, the
