'No body, no parole' plan floated in NSW for killers hiding victims' bodies

Killers serving sentences in New South Wales will be refused parole if they will not reveal the locations of their victims’ bodies, under a plan being weighed by the state's government.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant confirmed in a statement to Yahoo7 that a ‘no body, no parole’ policy was currently in cabinet’s sights.

“The NSW Government recognises the importance of victims’ rights and the ongoing, traumatic impact of being unable to put a loved one to rest,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice Troy Grant said.

“We’re currently considering options for a ‘no body, no parole’ scheme in NSW.”

A spokesperson for the minister said they could offer no more comment on a matter currently before Cabinet.

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If the policy becomes law, New South Wales will become Australia’s second state to insist killers reveal their secrets before walking free.

South Australia adopted a similar policy last year. The Northern Territory is considering a similar approach, News Corp reports.

Victims advocate Howard Brown said it would be hard to believe killers were remorseful or rehabilitated if they had not revealed their victims’ whereabouts.

“But doing so should not guarantee them release on parole because the parole authority still has to consider if they continue to pose a threat,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

Prisons across Australia currently house numerous convicted killers who have not revealed what became of their victims remains, including Bradley John Murdoch's murder of Peter Falconio in the Northern Territory, and former Australian water polo player Keli Lane, serving 18 years for the death of newborn Tegan Lane in 1996.

Under current laws, Lane would be eligible for parole in May, 2023, but would stay behind bars until 2028 under the proposed changes if she does not tell authorities where Tegan is.

Murdoch would die in jail under such a policy in the NT if he does not reveal the location of Mr Falconio’s remains. If he complied, he would retain the hope of eventually walking free as a 74-year old after serving 28 years.