Rapist's flood hero award revoked

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The Queensland Government has revoked an award given to a flood volunteer because the man is a convicted rapist and armed robber.

Bob Riddler was nominated for a local hero award after helping the Shiloh Christian Church at Goodna, west of Brisbane, during the January floods.

He removed rubbish and cleaned houses in the Ipswich suburb.

He had previously served 12 years in jail and had only been released in September last year.

Mr Riddler says the Corrective Services Department was aware of his volunteer work during the floods.

But four days after being invited to attend Saturday's ceremony to honour disaster heroes the invitation was rescinded.

A spokesman for premier Anna Bligh says it would be inappropriate for Mr Riddler to attend the event and receive the award.

However, she says the Government applauds his efforts to turn his life around.

Debbie Kilroy, from the prison support group Sisters Inside, says the decision is outrageous.

"I'd be calling on the Government to change the decision and give this man the award that he duly deserves for his assistance in the disaster," she said.

In March the department ruled Mr Riddler was unsuitable to work as a church volunteer when going to people's homes on his own.

Topics: law-crime-and-justice, floods, crime, goodna-4300, qld