Allan government ­announces new legislation to ban Paul Denyer from release in a major backflip

Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer will stay behind bars for life under new laws that will also restrict a further 32 criminals from applying for parole for between five and 10 years.

The state government will legislate to keep killer Paul Denyer in jail for the rest of his life. Picture: Supplied

Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer will be kept behind bars for life under new Victorian laws designed to crack down on murderers, child killers and rapists.

The new legislation will ban Denyer from release but also restrict a further 32 criminals from applying for parole for between five and 10 years, ­including Adrian Bayley, who raped and murdered Jill Meagher, and James Gargasoulas, who committed the Bourke St massacre.

The Allan government ­unveiled the changes on Tuesday in a major backflip after four months ago voting down a similar private member’s bill to keep Denyer jailed for life.

Under the government legislation the killer would not be eligible for release from prison unless he is terminally ill or incapacitated.

Convicted rapist and murderer Adrian Bayley, who killed Jill Meagher, will be impacted by the legislation.

Bourke St killer James Gargasoulas will remain behind bars under the legislation. Picture: AAP Image

The changes will subject him to the same onerous parole restrictions that apply to just two other Victorians, Russell St bomber Craig Minogue and Hoddle St killer Julian Knight.

The Bill will be put to parliament on Wednesday with ­expectations it would be passed before Christmas.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said the backflip followed new advice from the Solicitor-General, who said any High Court legal challenge by Denyer was unlikely to succeed.

“It’s not my role to dictate what courts will decide, however, we have legislation that is robust,” she said.

“There are no worse than Paul Denyer and we decided that we would take the extra step to name him in this legislation to ensure that he isn’t eligible for parole until he is in a state of incapacitation or close to dying.”

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says ‘there are no worse than Paul Denyer’. Picture: 60 Minutes

Powers of the Adult Parole Board will be boosted to ensure criminals on life sentences cannot reapply for parole for up to five years. Serial killers, child murderers and serious sexual offenders will be banned from launching bids for freedom for up to 10 years.

It comes after family members of Denyer’s victims spent years pushing for him to never be released.

Denyer was jailed for life in 1993 for the murders of Elizabeth Stevens, 18, Debbie Fream, 22, and Natalie Russell, 17. But he was given a 30-year non-parole period following a successful appeal.

The Herald Sun revealed in June that Denyer had sent letters to friends of victims pleading for his release from jail.

Denyer was jailed for life in 1993. Picture: Supplied

The move outraged the families and prompted them to lobby for new laws to ensure he was never let out.

The state opposition introduced a bill in June, which was voted down by the government and crossbenchers.

Families accused then premier Daniel Andrews of playing politics for refusing to support the opposition’s bill.

At the time, Mr Andrews also opposed a separate law for Denyer.

However, new Premier Jacinta Allan endorsed the change after Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke argued the community would be relieved knowing Denyer could not harm another person.

“Even though it was 30 years ago, the community of Frankston is still scarred by these events,” he said.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has endorsed the new legislation to keep serial killer Paul Denyer behind bars. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“They still check the rear of their cars before they start driving.”

Libertarian MP David Limbrick, who was in a relationship with Ms Russell at the time of her death, said the latest move to keep such offenders behind bars provided closure.

Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan also confirmed Bayley and Gargasoulas were among 32 prisoners that would be affected by the changes.

“Parole is not a right, people who commit unimaginable crimes belong behind bars, not back on our streets,” he said.

Originally published as Allan government ­announces new legislation to ban Paul Denyer from release in a major backflip