Survivors outraged as backpacker fire killer Robert Long applies for parole again after 25 years

7NEWS

22-05-2025

Survivors of a devastating hostel fire in 2000 have slammed any chance of freedom for Robert Long, calling the convicted killer 'a psychopath' who should 'rot in jail forever.'
The man responsible for one of Australia's deadliest mass murders is once again seeking parole — 25 years after he lit the fire in the small Queensland town of Childers, killing 15 young backpackers.
Long had been kicked out of the hostel and lit the fire in the early hours of June 23, while more than 80 travellers were asleep inside.
Despite killing 15 people, the arsonist was only ever charged and convicted for the murders of Australian twins Kelly and Stacey Slarke.
At the time, the decision to only pursue Long for two murders and not 15 was made to expedite proceedings and to ensure more charges could be brought if he was acquitted.
Long, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2002, has now formally applied for parole — for a second time.
Survivors say they found out not from authorities, but from a 7NEWS report.
Richard Tempest, who barely escaped the inferno, now lives quietly on a property outside Brisbane.
But he still carries the trauma of that night.
'He's an arsonist, he's a murderer, and he's a psychopath,' Tempest told 7NEWS.
'I just don't think he'll ever be rehabilitated.'
Tempest was among 88 guests inside the Palace Backpackers Hostel when Long set it alight in the dead of night.
He crawled to safety as others around him perished.
'Who knows what he's capable of, even 25 years on?' he said.
Bill Trevor, who was the mayor of Childers at the time, minced no words about Long's bid for release.
'I just hope the little bastard rots in jail forever and dies there,' he said.
'For the pain, the hurt that he caused to so many people across so many countries.'
Despite public outcry, the parole board remains bound by confidentiality laws and has not confirmed the application — though survivors say the lack of warning is a fresh blow.
'It would've been nice to be given a heads up by the authorities,' Tempest said.
Corrective Services Minister Laura Gerber said Long belongs behind bars for the rest of his life.
'I personally would like to see Long in prison forever,' she said.
'And we're committed to putting the rights of victims before the rights of offenders.'
A decision on Long's parole will ultimately rest with a panel made up of lawyers, psychologists, police, and community representatives.