Help us change laws that protect paedophiles.

Recent signers:
Paula Wilkins and 10 others have signed recently.

The issue

Edan Van Haren (pictured) was a child. Maurice Van Ryn (called 'the big cheese') was a big man in town. He was also a paedophile. He was an accountant and the CEO of Bega Cheese. He worked for them for 18 years, including as international business manager. 

The NSW Supreme Court ordered Maurice Van Ryn to pay Edan 1.4 million. Maurice Van Ryn then declared bankruptcy.

We have until December this year only to amend the law such that this debt is not extinguished by bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy laws were not intended to help paedophiles avoid compensating their victims. 

Help us change this law for every victim. 

It is disgraceful that a debt awarded by a Supreme Court in this country can be extinguished by a paedophile who can hide assets and declare bankruptcy. It is more appalling that our government has been aware of the issue for years and has not fixed it despite debts to the government and child support debts not being extinguished by bankruptcy.

Edan may not see a cent but this debt must remain for the term of this paedophile's life - or until he pays it. It must remain. One sentence needs to be added to Section 153 of our Bankruptcy Act. That is all. Simple.

Do this for all victims. Please.

#Edanslaw

3,544

Recent signers:
Paula Wilkins and 10 others have signed recently.

The issue

Edan Van Haren (pictured) was a child. Maurice Van Ryn (called 'the big cheese') was a big man in town. He was also a paedophile. He was an accountant and the CEO of Bega Cheese. He worked for them for 18 years, including as international business manager. 

The NSW Supreme Court ordered Maurice Van Ryn to pay Edan 1.4 million. Maurice Van Ryn then declared bankruptcy.

We have until December this year only to amend the law such that this debt is not extinguished by bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy laws were not intended to help paedophiles avoid compensating their victims. 

Help us change this law for every victim. 

It is disgraceful that a debt awarded by a Supreme Court in this country can be extinguished by a paedophile who can hide assets and declare bankruptcy. It is more appalling that our government has been aware of the issue for years and has not fixed it despite debts to the government and child support debts not being extinguished by bankruptcy.

Edan may not see a cent but this debt must remain for the term of this paedophile's life - or until he pays it. It must remain. One sentence needs to be added to Section 153 of our Bankruptcy Act. That is all. Simple.

Do this for all victims. Please.

#Edanslaw

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Petition created on 18 August 2025