‘No body no parole’ laws to be introduced in parliament after push from Lyn Dawson’s family

Six killers currently in custody, and future convicts, are set to have hope of parole stripped away if they won’t reveal where their victims’ bodies lie.

Convicted killers would not be released on parole unless they help police find the body of their victims under government legislation expected to be introduced to parliament on Wednesday.

Cabinet ministers signed off on the “no body no parole” laws on Monday afternoon, following campaigns for criminals to stay behind bars if they refuse to give up the location of their victims’ bodies.

It is estimated that the new laws could impact six criminals currently in custody after being convicted of a murder or homicide offence, as well as anyone who is convicted in the future after the laws pass.

The Daily Telegraph understands that the laws will include amendments stopping the State Parole Authority (SPA) granting parole to an inmate without evidence that they have co-operated with investigators.

The SPA will have to consider advice from police and other information to determine whether someone has co-operated.

Convicted killers like Chris Dawson would be forced to reveal the location of their victim’s body to be granted parole under the new law. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

It comes after a renewed push for “no body no parole” laws in the wake of Chris Dawson being found guilty of murdering his wife Lyn in January 1982. Her body has never been found.

Mr Dawson’s legal team has flagged a potential appeal to the verdict.

The family of Lynette Dawson, whose body has never been found, have lobbied for such laws. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Premier Dominic Perrottet said that the new laws would require criminals to co-operate with authorities if they wanted any hope of an early release.

“We will make it impossible for offenders who wilfully and deliberately refuse to disclose information about their victim’s remains, to be granted parole,” Mr Perrottet said.

He said that it is “extremely distressing and traumatic” for victims’ family and friends to not know the location of a loved one’s body.

“It denies the victim the dignity of being laid to rest appropriately,” he said.

“These laws are to stop inmates convicted of murder or homicide offences from getting parole unless they co-operate with police to end the torment of families and return to them the remains of their loved ones,” he said.

Labor announced it would support the bill, with Shadow Corrections spokeswoman Tara Moriarty saying “it’s actually long overdue”.

“Labor supports this bill … Victims and their loved ones deserve every bit of support that we can provide to make sure that they can get the closure that they need to lay their loved ones to rest,” she said.

“NSW is the only state in Australia without these laws in place and it’s well and truly about time that this legislation was put into place here … This needs bipartisan support (because) victims and their loved ones deserve every opportunity for closure.”