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Tuesday 5 December 2023
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Victims remembered A NEW law which restricts parole applications for serious offenders has been named “Nat’s Law” in memory of Natalie Russell. Paul Denyer killed Russell, Deborah Fream, and Elizabeth Stevens in 1993. The new law specifically targets him, and prevents him from being released from prison until he is close to death. The track Russell was taken from, linking Skye Road in Karingal to Monterey Secondary College in Frankston North, is now named Nat’s Track. Flowers were placed at the track last month when the bill was first announced. Picture: Gary Sissons
Families win fight for parole change Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON serial killer Paul Denyer will not be released from prison until he is permanently incapacitated. Denyer murdered Elizabeth Stevens, Deborah Fream, and Natalie Russell in Frankston’s surrounding
suburbs in 1993. He was handed a life sentence with a 30-year nonparole period, which ended this year. Last week, Victorian Parliament passed a proposed change to the law to keep Denyer behind bars for life. The bill read that Denyer cannot be released until the adult parole board is satisfied he is “in imminent danger of dying, or is seriously incapaci-
tated, and as a result he no longer has the physical ability to do harm to any person.” Denyer had an application for parole denied earlier this year. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke said the victims’ families deserved thanks for working on the legislation. “I want to thank all involved in the work to have this robust legislation
passed. To the Russell family and friends – Brian, Carmel, Karen, Lisa and Jeanine, your enduring patience and advice has been paramount in bringing forth these changes to the legislation,” he said. Edbrooke said the legislation would be known as “Nat’s Law” in memory of Natalie Russell. “Nat’s Law honours both the advocacy of victims’
families and the legacies of Natalie Russell, Elizabeth Stevens and Debbie Fream by ensuring people who belong in prison, stay in prison,” he said. The new law also prevents people convicted of serious crimes, including murderers and rapists, from making repeated parole applications.
