A former Isis mayor says the community is relieved the man who set fire to the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel and killed 15 people has been denied parole.
Robert Paul Long was sentenced to life in prison over two of the deaths after he deliberately lit the blaze 21 years ago.
He was eligible for parole in June last year, and his bid for freedom was denied by the Parole Board this week.
Bill Trevor is welcoming the decision, saying the deep pain felt by the survivors and the community still hasn’t dimmed.
Last year, Long made an application parole, which was lodged just weeks before the 20th year since the tragedy.
It ignited a wave of community anger, with many survivors and relatives penning heartbreaking letters about their suffering to the Board, asking his request be denied.
"It was the first time in 20 years many of the survivors spoke about the ordeal they faced, the smells, the smoke the fear, why they got out and others of their mates didn't," Mr Trevor says.
In a written statement, the Parole Board says he can’t reapply to be released for 12 months.
Mr Trevor is disappointed by this.
"There has never been any remorse shown by Robert Paul Long, and that is way if the Palace 15 can't speak for themselves, we will continue to speak out for any release he will apply for."
An online petition calling for him to be kept behind bars for life has more than 20,000 signatures.
[Image Source: REUTERS]
