Thousands march for justice one year after murder of Jill Meagher

CONCERNED members of the public asked why taxpayer dollars were used to fund the failed appeal attempt of Jill Meagher's killer.

A woman holds a photograph of Jill Meagher during the march.

CONCERNED members of the public asked why taxpayer dollars were used to fund the failed appeal attempt of Jill Meagher's killer, when thousands took to the streets of Brunswick to mark the first anniversary of the 29-year-old's death.

The peace march, attended by more than 8000 people, came four days after Adrian Bayley’s application to appeal his 35-year minimum jail term was refused.

Some carried flowers, others carried signs calling for tougher punishments for serial rapists and parole violators.

Brunswick resident Peter Wilson, 84, said Bayley’s attempted appeal should not have been funded by Victoria Legal Aid.

Brunswick resident Peter Wilson, 84, said Bayley’s attempted appeal should not have been funded by Victoria Legal Aid.

''They employed barristers at substantial costs and the judges threw the thing out in 10 minutes, so someone at Legal Aid needs to be spoken to,'' Mr Wilson said as he watched the march holding his hat across his chest. 

The march in Sydney Rd, Brunswick.

A woman holds a photograph of Jill Meagher during the march.

Kate MacNaughton lays flowers on the Brunswick Baptist Church's steps after the march.

The Heidelberg resident, 38, said the community needed to stamp out violence against women, especially by repeat criminals, such as Bayley and Steven James Hunter, who recently lodged an appeal against his life sentence with no parole for the murder of 22-year-old Sarah Cafferkey.

''This is not the first time, it won’t be the last time, but let’s hope it is a good start,'' Ms Chambers said.

Victorian federal Labor MP Kelvin Thomson, one of several politicians to attend the march, has also spoken out against the funding of last week’s court hearing.

Sasha Chambers - who carried the same ''May u (sic) rot in there!'' sign she held to Bayley’s prison van as he was transported from the Supreme Court after being sentenced in June - said she followed the case closely because she was deeply affected by the vicious murder of Ms Meagher. 

Sasha Chambers sends a message to Adrian Bayley.

Premier Denis Napthine, centre, at the march.

Premier Denis Napthine wore a white ribbon to condemn domestic violence against women.

He reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to taking a tough stance on parolees. New laws have recently been passed, prompted by a scathing report on the parole board’s failings.

The new legislation allows police to arrest and detain parolees who have breached their release conditions.

They will now face up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $4200.

Dr Napthine said Victoria had the toughest parole laws in the country and the Government would take stronger action ''to ensure parole is a privilege, not a right''.

''We, as a Government, are strong on law and order and want our community to be a safer place,'' he said.