<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> government minister has apologised after two vulnerable children in the state's care were found living with a convicted serial killer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Regina Arthurell, who was jailed under the name Reginald Kenneth Arthurell, was able to live in the same house as two foster children aged 12 and 14 in out-of-home care </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span>'s west.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A whistleblower raised the alarm with </span><a href="https://www.2gb.com/exclusive-serial-killer-reginald-arthurell-separated-from-foster-kids/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Sydney radio station 2GB"><span>Sydney radio station 2GB</span></a><span> after she contacted multiple government departments.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attack-iran-live-updates-march-11-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headline/06bb3cab-63f2-47c3-93cb-0ae650ea1142"><strong><span>Missile alarm raised in three countries as Australia shutters embassy</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Once dubbed the "cowboy killer", Arthurell served almost 24 years behind bars for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/serial-killer-reginald-arthurell-freed-from-prison-granted-parole-nsw-coonabarabran-murder/4b1d6a28-d0df-4d1a-a6f4-edb23524a380" rel="" target="_blank" title="bludgeoning fiancee Venet Mulhall to death"><span>bludgeoning fiancee Venet Mulhall to death</span></a><span> at Coonabarabran in 1995 while on parole.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She had earlier killed her stepfather in the 1970s and a sailor in the 1980s.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/serial-killer-reginald-arthurell-freed-from-prison-granted-parole-nsw-coonabarabran-murder/4b1d6a28-d0df-4d1a-a6f4-edb23524a380" rel="" target="" title="granted parole in 2020"><span>granted parole in 2020</span></a></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-government-minister-orders-urgent-review-after-foster-children-found-living-with-convicted-serial-killer/95343234-a790-46fd-a345-e79647e93384" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Minister for Communities and Families Kate Washington told 2GB host Ben Fordham she found out about the children's living situation through the radio station.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What you've uncovered is shocking and the scenario that these kids were in is not allowed and should've never been allowed," Washington said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is entirely unacceptable for a vulnerable child in the care of the state to be living with a triple murderer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It should've never happened and I'm deeply apologetic for what has happened."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shellharbour-deaths-man-and-women-die-at-popular-beach-in-nsw-illawarra-region/6dd06af9-d7a6-497d-8f31-750f675ae0e9"><strong><span>Two dead at iconic NSW tourist beach</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Arthurell is no longer living in the same home as the children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Washington said she has ordered an urgent review and would make any changes necessary.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Later in the interview, she said as the minister responsible for the children "the buck stops with me on this".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That's why we are going to get to the bottom of it and it's just something that ought to have never happened," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"At least we do now know and we've acted and they're no longer in that house but the scenario should have never happened in the first place."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Washington also said there were "some complexities in the situation" that she could not share publicly to protect the privacy of the children involved.</span></div></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="150px" src="https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/i-m-so-sorry-government-was-aware-foster-kids-were-living-with-serial-killer/embed?style=Cover&amp;media=Audio&amp;size=Wide" width="100%"></iframe></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But the fact is something has gone terribly wrong here," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I want to be as open and transparent and accountable as possible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I know that's what everyone expects.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The department was made aware of the situation in late December and some very poor decisions were made at that time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I wish I could turn back the clock but I can't."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A whistleblower told Fordham earlier this week she had been in contact with the NSW Police and NSW Department of Corrective Services since February 12 about the issue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this 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