Fake prince Joel Morehu-Barlow may be released by Christmas

A FAKE Tahitian price who stole millions from Queensland Health could be released from prison by Christmas, despite owing taxpayers $11 million.

New Zealand fraudster Joel Morehu-Barlow is able to make a second bid for parole from today.

• Parole rejected
• Forever in our debt
• Barlow to get boot

A FAKE Tahitian price who stole millions from Queensland Health could be released from prison before Christmas, despite owing taxpayers $11 million.

New Zealand fraudster Joel Morehu-Barlow is able to make a second bid for parole from today.

However the parole board does not need to make a decision for up to three months, which could see him released by November.

Barlow was sentenced to 14 years’ jail in 2013, eligible for parole from December 2016, for fraudulently siphoning $16.69 million from Queensland Health.

He passed himself off as a Tahitian prince to explain his big-spending lifestyle.

He was refused parole in February and was barred from making a new application for six months.

He has racked up almost an extra $500,000 in debt since then, with the total outstanding close to $11 million.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has confirmed the NZ fraudster will be deported when he receives parole.

About $11.88 million was recovered through the sale of an inner-Brisbane apartment and an auction of luxury assets, but he continued to accrue further debt through interest.

Barlow will be subject to “parole-like” conditions when he is eventually released to NZ, and the Queensland Government can apply to have his debt registered there so they can continue to pursue him for money owed.