Childers Palace backpacker mass murderer Robert Paul Long should be locked up for life, said the Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett who’s welcoming Queensland’s tough new parole laws.
Mr Bennett said the traumatized survivors of the fire and their friends and family might finally see the justice they deserve with the introduction of new laws to target multiple murderers.
“The State Labor Government has finally listened to our pleas for sensibility and empathy,” he said.
“15 young lives were cut short, and another 70 were left emotionally scarred for life because of this evil man.
“The community of Childers will never forget the sheer horror of that night but these new laws might finally deliver real justice.”
Under these proposed laws, the President of the Parole Board Queensland will be able to make a declaration that a person who is:
- Convicted of killing a child and serving a life sentence or convicted of multiple murders and serving a life sentence, and
- Eligible for parole, will be blocked from obtaining parole for a period of up to ten years.
There is no limit on the number of declarations that can be issued to these prisoners, which means that a further declaration could be issued for up to ten years at the expiry of a previous declaration, and so on for decades.
The President of the PBQ will also be able to make this declaration irrespective of whether the prisoner has already made an application for parole.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said the victims of Long should be allowed to stop reliving this nightmare every time Long is eligible for parole.
“These laws are a huge win for the survivors and their families as well as the entire community of Childers who could now see this wicked man stay behind bars for the rest of his life.
“Our cries for justice and sympathy have been heard, it’s time to lock the doors on Long and never look back.”
ENDS.
21/06/2021