Crime Read: When politician Pauline Hanson met child killer Valmae Beck behind bars
WHEN they met in prison, one was a monster jailed for the murder and rape of a schoolgirl; the other a disgraced politician later sentenced to three years for fraud.
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ONE was a monster jailed for the murder and rape of an innocent Sunshine Coast schoolgirl; the other was a disgraced politician sentenced to three years for fraud. According to Pauline Hanson, Valmae Beck deserved to die but their meeting would also lead to a threat against her own life.
IT was an unlikely dinner party – the monster who murdered and helped rape an innocent Sunshine Coast schoolgirl and the woman who would go on to become one of Australia’s most influential politicians.
But when Pauline Hanson sat opposite vile murderer Valmae Beck at a prison dinner table, there was no doubt in her mind – Beck and anyone like her deserved to die.
In her autobiography, now-Senator Hanson tells of her time inside the protection wing of Brisbane Women’s Prison where she had been sentenced in 2003 to three years’ jail for fraud in relation to the workings of her One Nation party.
While the conviction would ultimately be quashed, Hanson would spend 11 weeks behind bars, surrounded by murderers and sex offenders in the secure unit where they were under the constant eye of guards.
Beck, a mother of six, was inside for her part in the abduction, murder and rape of 12-year-old Noosa schoolgirl Sian Kingi in 1987.
The wicked killer, who would balloon to 150kg inside and change her name to Fay Cramb, would present herself at Hanson’s cell door on her first day in the unit, Hanson wrote in her autobiography, Untamed and Unashamed.
While Hanson said she kept her distance, Beck would force herself into her company.
She said she had nothing at all to do with Beck until after several weeks into her time in jail, when Beck joined her at the dinner table.
Beck said she was trying to escape trouble brewing at her usual table, Hanson wrote.
“By this time I knew who Fay was and the horrific crime she had committed.”
Hanson was concerned the media would take hold of the story of who was inside the protection unit and sensationalise it.
They would never be friends but Hanson said Beck would eventually admit to her she was sorry for the horrendous crime that put her behind bars.
“In one discussion she told me how sorry and remorseful she was for the crime she committed with her husband. I don’t pity her: no one could.”
With a young life taken and lives devastated, Hanson said she told Beck she supported the death penalty.
“In a discussion I had with her, I made it quite clear if anyone took one of my children’s lives, I would have no trouble pushing the button.”
In the book, Hanson calls for the death penalty to be reinstated, that DNA testing and forensic evidence meant there was no doubt who had committed any heinous crime.
“With this technology available I believe that, if a similar horrific crime such as the one Beck committed happened in our society, these people should forfeit their lives. Society owes them nothing, the choice was theirs.”
In her book, Hanson repeatedly claims the media got it wrong, sensationalising her relationship with the evil killer.
She said was never friends with Beck/Cramb or helped her with any bail application.
But she admits to helping with a letter to get the child killer transferred back to the Townsville prison, she wrote in the book published in 2007.
“Because of misreporting, I received a letter from a man who told me to make sure I look over my shoulder because one day he will be there to give me what I deserve and that Fay Cramb would get the same when she was released.”
In the book, Hanson gives a surprisingly sensitive account of her time with other inmates, how vulnerable she felt having to endure strip searches in order to see her family in prison visits and highlighting how lonely others without family support could be on the inside.
The now-Senator also writes of helping get a new trial that cleared one woman of murder and helping get a young Aboriginal inmate into public housing to start a new life.
She even had the inmate accused of murder join her family for Christmas.
“How could I possibly judge my fellow inmates when I despised and loathed our so-called law-abiding politicians, judges, prosecutors and police for partaking in a politically driven witch-hunt that was designed to destroy my life?”
She said a lot of women in prison felt abandoned and turned to each other, forming their new family. She said they tried to cope as best they could.
Hanson said the prison time alone had convicted her in the eyes of others, even after the charges were thrown out.
She said the stigma of prison remained even after she was cleared and freed, even with one of her sisters.
“I wish that those who are quick to judge me could have worn my shoes for a day, let alone the 11 weeks.”
Pauline Hanson would be released after 11 weeks, cleared to rebuild her political party and become one of the most powerful women in Australia.
Valmae Beck would die in Townsville hospital under prison guard.
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