The Hoddle Street killer has appealed against a decision denying him the chance for ACT government compensation for being assaulted by senior cadets while at Duntroon.
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Julian Knight appeared in the ACT Supreme Court via videolink from Victoria's Port Phillip Prison on Wednesday, where he is serving life for a shooting rampage that killed seven people and injured 19 in Melbourne in 1987.
The attack on innocent civilians came months after he was kicked out of the army for stabbing a superior officer.
Knight is pursuing action against the ACT and the Commonwealth relating to alleged abuse he suffered during his time as a cadet at Duntroon.
He applied for victims of crime compensation from the ACT government, alleging he was punched in the stomach by a senior staff cadet twice in February 1987, was assaulted by other senior cadets in March, and was bashed by others at the Private Bin nightclub, a now-closed venue in Civic.
Knight applied in the ACT Magistrates Court for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act in force at the time, and which has since been replaced by the Victims of Crime Act.
The ACT, however, argued the more recent laws should apply, and that there was nothing in transitional provisions of the older legislation that allowed his claim.
Knight's bid for compensation and an application for an extension of time were thrown out of the ACT Supreme Court late last year.
Associate Judge David Mossop dismissed the proceedings, finding the ACT Supreme Court did not have jurisdiction to decide on the case.
Now, Knight has signalled an intention to appeal that decision.
He has asked the ACT Court of Appeal to give him leave to make the appeal out of time.
Justice John Burns has adjourned the appeal to give time for the territory and Knight to file written submissions.
Justice Burns asked Knight whether a date in July would be suitable to come back to court.
Knight replied: "My calendar's free, your honour."
