Childers backpacker killer Robert Paul Long denied bid for parole
Childers backpacker killer Robert Paul Long has had his bid for parole rejected after serving 20 years of a life sentence.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Childers backpacker killer Robert Paul Long has had his bid for parole rejected after serving 20 years of a life sentence.
Long was jailed for lighting a fire at the Childers backpackers hostel in 2000 that killed 15 people. The blaze quickly spread, trapping and killing young fruit pickers, many of them asleep in their beds.
He was only prosecuted for the murders of two of the victims - twin sisters Kelly and Stacey Slarke.
Long, who is now in his late 50s, became eligible for parole last year, with the Parole Board of Queensland indicating it would make its reasons public only if he was released.
A statement released by the Parole Board Queensland confirmed Long’s application had been rejected and he would not be allowed to reapply for another year.
“On Tuesday, 2 February 2021, the Parole Board Queensland refused Robert Long’s application for a parole order,” the statement said.
“In accordance with section 193(5A) of the Corrective Services Act 2006 the Board decided he must not reapply for parole for the maximum period allowed under the legislation, namely, 12 months.
“A summary of the decision will not be published on the Board’s website as he has a right of review as per the Judicial Review Act 1991.”
Survivors of the blaze, along with former Isis Shire mayor Bill Trevor, handed more than 30 letters to the parole board, along with a petition of more than 17,000 signatures, pleading with them to keep him locked away.
Survivor Richard Tempest said the decision to keep Long behind bars was “fantastic”.
“It’s certainly the news we all wanted to hear,” he said.
“It’s great news.
“They’ve rejected it now. Ultimately what is going to change or how is he going to change in 12 months time? We all know that is not going to happen. It will never happen.
“Is it going to do it every year for the next 10 years? It should get to a point where they say you’re not getting released.
“He needs to stay where he is for the rest of his born days.”
Green energy: Raid on sophisticated, solar-powered drug farm
Almost 100 plants and an illegal gun were seized by detectives when they raided a Toowoomba region drug farm powered by solar panels.
‘Violent’: Trial begins for man accused of horror attack on woman
The trial of a man accused of a horrific violent sexual attack on a woman in her living room has begun, with the Crown alleging evidence against the man includes a witness hearing that he’d do it again.