Parole eligibility
Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for Police as the minister representing the Minister for Corrections in the other house. Does the government have a policy position to commit to keeping Paul Denyer in jail for the rest of his life?
Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (14:26): I thank the member for his question. I look forward to referring that matter to the appropriate minister in the other place, but I would also say we respect the independent role of the adult parole board, which has made its decision very, very recently. These independent bodies have full support to do their job from this side of the house.
Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (14:26): Will the minister apologise to the families of the three female victims who have to relive the trauma every time Paul Denyer applies for parole because the government refuses to lock him up for life?
Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (14:27): I thank the member for their supplementary question, and again I will pass it to the minister in the other place, the Minister for Corrections and Minister for Victim Support, who has also met with very many victims in his role. I know right across this house we all understand and respect all victims of crime. They are very serious matters – any crime –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Berwick, you asked your question.
Anthony CARBINES: Victims deserve the support and the respect and the comfort of all members of this place, and that is exactly what this government stands for. We also stand for making sure that independent bodies charged with their responsibilities are allowed to do that unfettered. They are doing that job effectively and have made the correct and right decisions that they have independently made. We support and respect them just as we do those who rely on the services that they provide.