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East Lismore murder-suicide: Doctor is called out for asking shocking question about what caused dad to kill son

A Victorian doctor has been slammed after sharing his shocking take on the cause of a northern disease N.S.W father to kill himself and his son.

James Harrison, 38, a NSW Health business analyst, and his toddler son Rowan were found dead in a unit in East Lismore on NSW’s far north coast late last month.

Police allege Harrison killed his son using a system set up to pump gas into his unit while he was going to deliver the little boy to his mother, Dr. Sophie Roome, who had primary custody of the child.

Dr. Julian Fidge, a GP from Wangaratta, asked on social media: ‘What kind of treatment of this father caused him to commit these terrible acts?

‘As a GP I hear many stories about terrible family court decisions that seem designed to antagonize the father. I often wonder whether the judges are dangerously inciting fathers.’

Dr.  Julian Fidge, a GP from Wangaratta in Victoria, sparked a debate online

Dr.  Julian Fidge, a GP from Wangaratta in Victoria, (pictured)

Dr. Julian Fidge, a GP from Wangaratta in Victoria, (pictured) sparked debate online by suggesting the family court had pushed Harrison to kill his son

Victoria Fielding was the first of many to hear our Dr.'s comments.  put Fidge online

Victoria Fielding was the first of many to hear our Dr.’s comments. put Fidge online

James Harrison (pictured) killed his son Rowan, two, and killed himself while his mother, doctor Sophie Roome, was at work on May 19

James Harrison (pictured) killed his son Rowan, two, and killed himself while his mother, doctor Sophie Roome, was at work on May 19

Communications lecturer Dr Victoria Fielding was the first to respond to Dr Fidge online, expressing his views on the situation.

“This is a shameful statement from someone who should be on the front lines of protecting the community,” she wrote.

Ms Fielding accused Dr Fidge of furthering the problem by blaming the family courts rather than a ‘murderous man’.

“There is a concerted effort among people like this GP to blame the court for the gruesome murder of a child because they want to victimize the murderous man,” she wrote.

“If the court is at fault, it is because they did not see violence against the mother as a clear risk to the child’s safety.”

Others who replied to Ms Fielding also criticized Dr Fidge for being “part of the problem”.

“What a completely blind, deaf and ignorant comment,” one woman said angrily.

‘I don’t want to hear any ‘oh the poor man’ madness, if the man is violent in any way that’s a clear red flag to keep children away from them. This mentality is terrible.’

“He killed his own son, nothing makes this acceptable,” another person added.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Dr. Fidge for comments.

Harrison and his two-year-old son were found dead in the East Lismore unit, in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, on May 19.

Harrison and his two-year-old son were found dead in the East Lismore unit, in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, on May 19.

Mother speaks about the tragic death of her son

Dr Roome recently broke her silence about the death of her beloved son.

‘Our family is faced with incomprehensible grief. Our beloved Rowan was taken from us in the most unfathomable way.

“Rowan’s life was ended by an evil and cowardly act of violence committed by the person he should have been able to trust most. There are no possible excuses for this pain, and no end to the pain it has caused.”

She expected Rowan to be returned by her around 4pm on Sunday, after the ICU doctor dropped him off with her ex for an access visit that morning.

She called police who attended Harrison’s Lismore unit at about 5.30pm and left when no one answered the door. However, when she returned four hours later at the insistence of the boy’s grandmother, officers broke in and found the couple dead.

Lismore doctor Dr.  Sophie Roome with her son Rowan (pictured together)

Lismore doctor Dr. Sophie Roome with her son Rowan (pictured together)

‘Rowan was a beautiful, happy and adored little boy. He had so many amazing qualities and his short life was filled with rich and happy experiences,” Dr. Roome continued.

‘He loved music, the beach, swimming, his friends and his family. He touched the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to be in his world.

‘We are devastated. We will love and miss Rowan forever. We thank everyone who has provided support, and we acknowledge the suffering of James’ family, which is also immense.”

Dr.  Roome said Rowan's life was ended by a 'malicious and cowardly act of violence'

Dr. Roome said Rowan’s life was ended by a ‘malicious and cowardly act of violence’

The violence arrest warrant was extended just months before father killed his son

Daily Mail Australia understands that Dr. Roome had primary custody of Rowan, but Harrison visited his son regularly.

She and Harrison split last year, not long after moving to the Northern Rivers region.

Dr. Roome sought an arrest warrant for assault after her ex-partner displayed controlling behavior following their divorce, friends said.

Although there were no violent incidents, the AVO was extended by the court just two months ago to allow Dr. To protect Roome from his troubling behavior and attempts to dictate how she lived her life.

The AVO also banned Harrison from talking to Dr. Attack or threaten Roome, stalk her or destroy her property.

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