Childers backpacker fire: Robert Paul Long in fresh bid for parole

Childers backpacker mass killer Robert Paul Long has applied for parole again, with the revelation coming just weeks from the 25th anniversary of the horrific fire.

Childers’ Palace Backpackers Hostel in the wake of the fire

Childers backpacker mass killer Robert Paul Long has applied for parole again, with the revelation coming just weeks from the 25th anniversary of the horrific fire.

Fifteen backpackers died when Long set the Palace hostel on fire in June 2000.

He was jailed for 20 years.

He was charged with arson and two counts of murder of twins Kelly and Stacey Slarke but not over the 13 other deaths.

At the time it was common to not prosecute on all murders of a mass killing because it was deemed unlikely he would have served any more time if prosecuted for all 15.

Families and survivors called for Long to face further murder charges, however this was later ruled out by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Long applied for parole in 2020, around the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, which was rejected.

At the time an emotional Bill Trevor, the former Isis mayor, and survivor Richard Tempest handed the parole board more than 30 letters and a petition with over 17,000 signatures in Brisbane.

Robert Paul Long

The latest parole application is set to draw disbelief from survivors, some of whom will meet on the 25th anniversary of the fire on June 23.

However it could see Long being knocked back for parole for up to 10 more years.

In 2021 the government introduced new laws to stop the “worst of the worst” murderers from getting out of jail, prompted by a parole application made by Barrie Watts who murdered schoolgirl Sian Kingi.

The laws allow the Parole Board president to stop child killers and people who have killed multiple people from applying for parole for up to 10 years beyond their eligibility date.

This restricted prisoner declaration could be made against Long.

A Parole Board Queensland spokeswoman on Wednesday said she was unable to comment about specific applications.

“However, under the Corrective Services Act 2006, persons convicted of multiple murders can be declared restricted prisoners by the President of the Parole Board,” she said.

Childers survivor Richard Tempest has expressed disbelief at the latest bid.

“A declaration can prevent the person from reapplying for parole for up to 10 years.

“The Parole Board encourages any eligible person wishing to be kept informed about parole processes to apply to the Victims Register on the Queensland Corrective Services website.”

Mr Tempest told The Courier-Mail on Wednesday night he was in disbelief at Long’s latest parole application.

“I think the main objective is to just go over his track record,” Mr Tempest said.

“Is he rehabilitated? Will this person ever be rehabilitated? From where we stand from the survivors, the families, the members of society, it’s highly unlikely.

“I think he will never be rehabilitated, he just needs to stay in those four walls for the rest of his life.

“We don’t know the outcome yet, and hopefully they knock it back as they did in 2020.”

Despite not being on an official victim’s register Mr Tempest said he believed survivors should have been notified about the application.

“Ironically it is going to coincide with a major anniversary again, and to not be notified is poor form,” he said.

Originally published as Childers backpacker fire: Robert Paul Long in fresh bid for parole