Childers fire: Backpacker murderer Robert Paul Long’s parole application should be burned, parliament hears
Survivors of the Childers backpacker inferno have written impassioned letters to the parole board begging for killer Robert Paul Long to remain behind bars. READ THE LETTERS IN THEIR OWN WORDS
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Survivors of the Childers backpacker inferno have written impassioned letters to the parole board begging for killer Robert Paul Long to remain behind bars.
Backpackers mass killer Long’s parole application should be burnt “just like he burnt down the historic backpackers hostel in Childers”, Queensland’s parliament has been told.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett last night pleaded for Long, 57, to never be let out of jail and tabled letters from survivors of the horrific fire.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE LETTERS FROM SURVIVORS
Fifteen backpackers died when Long set the Palace hostel on fire in June 2000.
Long was jailed for 20 years but he could be released in weeks.
He was charged with arson and two counts of murder of twins Kelly and Stacey Slarke but not over the 13 other deaths.
Families and survivors have called for Long to face further murder charges however this has been ruled out by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In letters written by survivors they explain: “While I lay motionless on the ground Lauren was screaming and screaming to find me. She found my arm and dragged me into the corridor. I can still remember the choking feeling of the smoke, you couldn’t get away from it,’ wrote one survivor.
“We held our breath, Lauren dragged me along the burning floor before it collapsed and we barely escaped with our lives.”
SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE LETTERS FROM SURVIVORS
Mr Bennett said in parliament: “We should not rest until we secure a guarantee that a convicted killer will remain behind bars for the rest of his life.”
“The parole application for Robert Long should be burnt just like he burnt down the historic backpackers hostel in Childers.
“One of Australia’s worst mass murderers deserves to be locked up for life. He belongs behind bars.”
Mr Bennett said Long’s bid for freedom was causing “indescribable torment” for the survivors and victims’ families on the 20-year anniversary of the fire.
“Victims and their families are re-living the nightmare all over again, two decades on and all the thought of this despicable man being let out of jail,” he said.
“Fifteen young lives were cut short and another 70 have been left emotionally scarred for eternity because of this evil man.
He tabled letters from survivor Richard Tempest and other survivors including Kate Morris.
“I will never forget the noise, the smell, the screams inside the building,” Ms Morris wrote in her letter.
“Every day I think about our friends, fellow travellers, who never made it. They were murdered in their sleep by an absolute lunatic who tried to kill us.
LETTERS TO THE PAROLE BOARD FROM KATE AND LAUREN MORRIS:
To Whom It May Concern, Our names are Kate and Lauren - we are survivors of the Childers backpacker hostel fire which occurred in the town of Childers, Queensland on the 23rd June 2000.
We are writing this submission to the Parole Board of Queensland to express our views and concerns regarding the mass murderer and arsonist Robert Long applying for his release from jail.
As victims of this crime, we find this extremely concerning and unjust when you consider the horrific event this man was capable of.
At the time of this tragedy Lauren was 17 and myself (Kate) was 19 years old.
Some would say the world was our oyster as we left our family and friends in search of an adventure by backpacking around Australia.
We had travelled for a few months and needed to fund more travelling when we came across the little town of Childers in QLD.
We decided to work hard for a few weeks and save some money so we could head off to Airlie Beach and see the Great Barrier Reef.
While we were living at the hostel we worked extremely hard and made many friends with other young adults our age from around the world.
Never would we ever imagine the horror and tragedy that was about to unfold and change our lives forever.
Lauren and I were woken up after 12pm with what sounded like fireworks exploding and glass smashing.
Lauren jumped out of bed after one of our roommates yelled fire and ran out of the room.
From that moment on we were fighting for our survival as the fire was almost directly underneath us and our room was already full of toxic black smoke.
I woke up in a daze and collapsed on the ground. It was completely dark and all you could hear was people screaming and banging everywhere.
While I lay motionless on the ground Lauren was screaming and screaming to find me.
She found my arm and dragged me into the corridor. I can still remember the choking feeling of the smoke, you couldn’t get away from it.
We held our breath, Lauren dragged me along the burning floor before it collapsed and we barely escaped with our lives.
I will never forget the noise, smell and the screams inside the building, every day I still think about our friends and fellow travellers who never made it.
They were murdered in their sleep by an absolute lunatic who purposely tried to kill us all.
From that moment on the rest of our lives have been significantly changed.
The trauma and lifelong issues associated with trauma has impacted us greatly.
We will never be able to come to terms with how someone can take another’s life in such a terrible way.
We have both been diagnosed with PTSD and for a few years could not lead our normal lives.
The nightmares still occur to this day.
We have both suffered flashbacks and anxiety in some situations.
As I remember the night, whilst writing this letter, my heart is beating faster, I feel nervous and distressed about remembering it all.
Fortunately for us we both made it out and I’m very grateful my sister saved my life.
What we don’t understand is why the other 15 who didn’t make it out, our friends in the prime of their life, who will never see their family again, get married and have children, why haven’t their lives been taken into account when he was charged for this horrific crime.
He lit a fire while we were all sleeping, sprayed accelerant to make sure we all burnt, threw pillows onto of his fire then fled like the coward he is.
He knew the fire alarms were turned off and there was bars on the windows on the room directly above where he lit the fire.
He wanted to kill all 84 of us. Robert long is one of the worst mass murderers in Australia’s history.
When Martin Byrant was charged he was charged with 35 consecutive life sentences for the 35 victims and was also charged with the attempted murder of the other 20.
Robert Long then fled the scene of the crime and a massive police search went on for days to try and arrest him.
When he was found he stabbed a Police officer in the face and cut a Police dog ear off.
It seems so unjust that he is then sentenced to just 20 years.
We will never come to terms with what’s happen to us but also his sentence seems like a slap on the wrist.
It is very lenient compare to the horrific events of that night.
Imagine if you were the parent of the other 13 victims that were given their child back in a small box, and no justice for their death, it simply does not make any sense.
I’m am very proud to be an Australian but I feel like our judicial system has failed the victims and us the survivors of the Childers backpack hostel fire.
We formally request that Robert Long is charged for the murders of the other 13 victims and the attempted murder of the 69 survivors.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to our story and concerns.
RIP to our 15 friends who didn’t make it out.
Kate and Lauren
A LETTER FROM SURVIVOR RICHARD TEMPEST:
Dear Mr Byrne, I am choosing to write to you as the President of the Parole Board of Queensland, to express my concerns in regards to the pending Parole Application from Robert Paul Long to be released from Prison after the 20 year sentence he was given in 2000.
You may or may not be aware that, Robert Long was the convicted Murderer and Arsonist after setting fire to the Childers Backpacker Palace Hostel on June 23 2000.
I, along with 69 others from around the world survived managing to escape the burning inferno of which we were awoken to, sadly 15 other people did not!
At the time I was a 25 year old who had left the UK earlier that year to travel the world, enjoy life, meet new people and gain new experiences.
I had saved money to do so for a number of years prior to allow me to travel for a while before utilising my Work Holiday Visa for Australia that I had been granted.
I arrived in Sydney around May 7 2000, then like many other backpackers started to make my way up the East coast of Australia spending a few days in several places before moving on.
I had made some great friends of fellow travellers in Hervey Bay just south of the Childers town-ship and had stayed there for about 2 weeks in the beautiful area.
I then decided it was time to seek some work to keep and maintain the finances and having done my research along with speaking to other backpackers whilst travelling, on June 22 I jumped on a bus and travelled to Childers, checking in to the Palace Backpacker Hostel who arranged work for me on the Trevor Farms nearby to pick zucchinis.
Little did I know at this point that I would never start work and probably more importantly little did I know that someone would intend to take my life only having been in Australia a mere 7 weeks whilst innocently sleeping in a hostel accommodation!
What I would like you as the President, the Parole Board and anyone else that potentially has any involvement and or say in Long’s Parole hearing application to know is just how ‘much’ impact it has had on so many lives, the victims’ families, us as the survivors, our families and the people and community of the town of Childers.
I can only speak for myself and detail just how much I strongly feel it has changed and affected my life, not only mentally and psychologically but in the form of PTSD which will be long-lasting affecting for the rest of my life with experts saying previously of up to 25% of my life will be affected.
It has had an extensive effect on my life causing disorders, stress and anxiety and other habitual orders associated with PTSD.
I strongly feel that Robert Long should NOT be released from Prison despite serving a 20 year sentence which was the maximum a person could serve for a multiple murder under Queensland Law back in 2000.
If he is released he will continue to be a danger and a threat to society, who says he is OK after 20yrs to be released along with his previous history of arson.
This person should not be allowed to walk the streets ever again.
Who is going to be responsible for if/when someone else to cross him or upset him for there to be a retaliation of some description, I’m certain no one would want to take that risk and allow him back into the Australian Society.
I would like to formally request that Robert Long is further charged with the Murders of the remaining 13 Victims and the Attempted Murder of myself and other 69 Survivors.
Yours sincerely
CHILDERS SPECIAL:
- ‘BODIES FELL THROUGH CEILING’: FLASHPOINT OF DEADLY INFERNO
- SEVEN COFFINS OF HEATHROW: MOMENT FAMILY’S NIGHTMARE UNRAVELLED’
- HOW SUICIDAL MADMAN GOT AWAY WITH KILLING 13
- ‘I’M DYING ANYWAY’: LONG’S BIZARRE $10 NOTE CONFESSION
- TORTURE, TORMENT AND FANTASY: MAKINGS OF SUICIDAL MADMAN
- ‘SNAKY LITTLE BASTARD’: INSIDE LONG’S PRISON LIFE
- DEATHLY SCREAMS, SCRAMBLE FOR LIFE: INSIDE AS PALACE EXPLODED
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