Killer ‘belongs behind bars’ - minister

Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au

PROPOSED legislation to keep serial killer Paul Denyer in jail for life is expected to pass through parliament.

Last week, the state government announced it would change the law to keep Denyer in jail until he is terminally ill or incapacitated. The bill was tabled last Wednesday.

Denyer (pictured above) murdered Elizabeth Stevens, Deborah Fream, and Natalie Russell in the surrounding suburbs of Frankston in 1993. He received a life sentence with a nonparole period of 30 years. He is now eligible to apply for parole, and has already had one application rejected.

The state government’s bill specifically targets Denyer. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said it would allow the families of his victims to grieve.

“The family and friends of Natalie Russell, Debbie Fream and Elizabeth Stevens continue to suffer and grieve,” she said. “These changes can’t heal their pain, but they can provide the certainty he won’t hurt another woman again.”

The proposed legislation will also prevent other prisoners convicted of serious crimes from continually reapplying for parole. Corrections minister Enver Erdogan said “people who commit unimaginable crimes belong behind bars – not back on our streets.”

“Parole is not a right,” he said. “We’ve listened to victims and their families who have been forced to relive their trauma through a perpetrator’s parole application. They deserve certainty and they deserve better.”

The opposition has flagged support for the proposal to keep Denyer locked up. In a statement, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals said it would “continue to support any move to ensure Paul Denyer remains behind bars for life.” Shadow corrections minister Brad Battin said “the most important fact in all of this is as a parliament we have an opportunity to now end any further unnecessary grief for them.”