Perth: WA Parliament passes new laws to keep serial killers behind bars

NEW laws to allow for the Western Australian government to keep the worst mass murderers and serial killers behind bars have passed State Parliament.

The changes give the attorney-general the power to suspend any parole moves by the worst killers for up to six years at a time.

“The new laws are designed to reduce the trauma suffered by survivors and secondary victims of mass and serial murder,” Attorney-General John Quigley said on Thursday.

Mass murderers and serial killers will be defined as those who commit three or more murders on the same day or two or more murders on separate days.

The powers to be given to the attorney-general will be unique in Australia and follows a Labor pledge before the last state election to bring in tougher parole laws.

“In no other state of Australia can the attorney-general direct the Prisoners Review Board not to consider parole,” Mr Quigley said.

“In framing this extreme measure, we confined it to mass murderers and serial killers in line with our election commitment.”