Victorian serial killer Paul Denyer to die behind bars

Four months ago Daniel Andrews dismissed calls for a law naming Denyer, citing the possibility of legal challenges. Now the Allan government is introducing one.

Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer being taken away by police in 1993.

Paul Denyer will end his life behind bars, after the Victorian government backtracked on its previous refusal to introduce legislation specifically targeting the Frankston serial killer, announcing a new bill that will prevent him ever receiving parole.

Police Minister Enver Erdogan announced the reform on Tuesday as part of a suite of legislation aimed at Victoria’s worst offenders, with other measures set to further restrict parole for criminals on life sentences, those who have killed multiple people, those who have murdered children and those who also committed serious sexual offences against the murder victim.

Denyer received a life sentence in 1993 after being found guilty of killing Elizabeth Stevens, 18, Debbie Fream, 22, and Natalie Russell, 17, in a spate of murders in and near the outer southeastern Melbourne suburb of Frankston over a seven-week period in June and July that year.

On appeal, he was granted a 30-year non-parole period, enabling him to make an application for freedom that was refused in May. In June, the then Andrews government voted down a Coalition bill that sought to keep him behind bars permanently.

At the time, then premier Daniel Andrews ruled out introducing a specific law dealing with Denyer’s case, claiming it would invite legal challenges. “Let’s be really clear about this. If we keep trying to keep individuals behind bars with one-person laws, we are drumming up business for the High Court and we will finish up potentially with a ruling that no one wants. What’s more, that is not a quick process,” he said.

Brian and Carmel Russell, whose daughter Natalie was murdered by Paul Denyer. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Defending the government’s change of heart on Tuesday, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes cited new advice from the Solicitor-General, saying the legislation is worded in the same terms used to keep Hoddle Street killer Julian Knight and Russell Street bomber Craig Minogue in jail.

“What we wanted to ensure was that in developing our package, we to the best of our ability avoid High Court challenges,” Ms Symes said.

“We are confident we have created a system that is robust, but I’ll be honest with you, I’ve explained to the families, that in naming an individual, you open yourself up to challenges through the courts. We’ve seen it before. They know that’s a possibility, but they also know we have advice that suggests that any challenges should be unsuccessful.”

In addition to naming Denyer, the legislation will also give the Adult Parole Board the power to declare restricted prisoners who would be unable to apply for release for between five and 10 years after serving the non-parole period of their sentence.

Prisoners serving a life sentence will also be restricted from reapplying for parole after their application has been rejected.

Mr Erdogan said the new legislation would capture 32 of Victoria’s worst prisoners, including Adrian Bayley, who murdered Jill Meagher in 2012, and James Gargasoulas, who killed six people and seriously injured 27 when he mowed down pedestrians on Bourke Street in 2017.

Libertarian Party MP David Limbrick, the boyfriend of Natalie Russell at the time of her murder, said the legislation would come as a relief for the families of Denyer’s victims.

“I’d like to thank the Attorney-General and new Premier Allan for their engagement on this, and also to all of the people that have worked with me in standing up and campaigning for this over the last few years,” Mr Limbrick said.