Judge’s warning about releasing Childers backpacker mass killer

Parole authorities were warned to give “careful consideration” before ever releasing Childers backpacker mass killer, Robert Paul Long, when he was sentenced.

Police and emergency services outside The Palace Backpackers Hostel at Childers in 2000. Pic: Anthony Weate.

The judge who sentenced Childers backpacker mass killer Robert Paul Long to jail warned parole authorities at the time they would have to give “careful consideration” before ever releasing him.

Fifteen backpackers died when Long set the Palace hostel on fire in June 2000. He was jailed for a minimum of 20 years.

Long – who unsuccessfully applied for parole in 2020 – has applied for his release from Wolston jail again, with the shock revelation just weeks before the 25th anniversary of the horrific fire.

He was charged and convicted with arson and two counts of murder of twins Kelly and Stacey Slarke but not over the 13 other deaths.

Newspaper reports at the time said this procedure was followed to expedite proceedings and to also allow other charges to be made against Long if he was acquitted.

Fireman Darryl Livermore inspects remains of dormitory on upper level of Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers following the fire that left 18 dead. Pic: Anthony Weate.

At the time of his sentencing for the horrific fire, Prosecutor David Meredith said that Long should serve more than 25 years before being eligible for parole, with all of the deaths taken into account, according to reports.

His defence counsel Terry Martin said the Crown only elected to prosecute Long on two counts of murder. At the time double murderers had to receive a non-parole period of at least 20 years, which could be extended.

Supreme Court Justice Peter Dutney imposed a non-parole period of 20 years but said authorities would have to give “careful consideration” before ever releasing Long.

The latest parole application is set to draw disbelief from survivors, some who will meet on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the fire on June 23.

Robert Paul Long.

Survivor Richard Tempest told The Courier-Mail he was in disbelief at Long’s latest parole application.

“I think the main objective is to just go over his track record,” Mr Tempest said.

“Is he rehabilitated? Will this person ever be rehabilitated? From where we stand from the survivors, the families, the members of society, it’s highly unlikely.

“I think he will never be rehabilitated, he just needs to stay in those four walls for the rest of his life.

“We don’t know the outcome yet and hopefully they knock it back as they did in 2020.

The latest application could trigger Long being knocked back for parole for a lengthy period of up to 10 years.

In 2021 the government introduced new laws to stop the “worst of the worst” murderers from getting out of jail, prompted by a parole application made by Barrie Watts who murdered schoolgirl Sian Kingi.

The laws allow the Parole Board president to stop child killers and people who have killed multiple people from applying for parole for up to 10 years beyond their eligibility date.

This restricted prisoner declaration could be made against Long.

Long is being represented by law firm Jones and Associates, however the firm declined to comment when contacted.