Latest news with #Vlassakis
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
AI tells lies, but kindly apologises if found out
Go bold, Albanese Unfortunately for us Labor faithful, Prime Minister Albanese lacks the courage and boldness to lead a government of true reform. He once again ruled out tax reform (″ Albanese Shies Away from Major Tax Reform ″, 8/8). He's the manager doing things right, rather than the leader who chooses to do the right thing. Significant tax reform might put a few noses out of joint, but with a large majority and political momentum now is the time for some boldness. Governments are elected to lead and make life better, but right now this seems as if it is far from the minds of Australian Labor. Albanese might reflect on the courage of the previous Victorian premier, Dan Andrews, as an example of bold political leadership. Like him or not, Andrews was often courageous and doing the right thing defined his leadership. No one can deny the strength of his government which chose many real tangible actions to improve life for Victorians. They were certainly rewarded at the ballot box. Michael Cormick, Carnegie Defence is everything Italy has showed us the way. Everyone in the world can give Donald Trump a ″win″ on increased defence spending and none of that expenditure will be wasted on actual weapons. Yes, a suspension bridge is defence spending! (″ Italy will build bridge to Sicily ″, 8/8). So how does this work for Australia? Simple. All our expenditure on modernising our electrical grid is strategic – we are protecting ourselves against interdiction of fuel imports. All road and rain infrastructure is defence spending – we need to ensure that our forces can quickly and efficiently get to where they need to be. So is health – we need to have a strong fighting force. And of course, all education spending is defence spending. We need fully rounded people in our defence forces. Foreign aid and foreign embassies are defence spending – soft power is the most effective way to maintain peace. In no time, Australia will be spending 10 per cent of GDP on defence. We should then be able to ask Trump for a 1000 per cent decrease in tariffs. Ken Richards, Elwood What fits the crime After reading the article by Jeremy Pudney about the role James Vlassakis played in the Snowtown murders, I was moved with compassion about a young man manipulated by John Bunting and Robert Wagner (″ Why it's right to release the youngest Snowtown killer ″, 8/8). Vlassakis is depicted as a troubled teenager who fell under an evil spell. However, I feel for the victims' families who must live with the trauma of losing a loved one to murder. It is an impossible task to meet the needs of both parties, revenge on one hand and forgiveness on the other. The old adage is that the punishment must fit the crime. Life is short and eleven lives were lost, and Vlassakis has lost 26 years of his life. Yes, some will be outraged, but this decision certainly seeks understanding. Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East Call time on pub test Re Letters 8/8. Please let's drop the 'pub test' as a measure of anything. Only a minority of the population are to be found in a pub and most of them will be slightly to fully inebriated and looking for a rest from the worries of the day. If you enter with clipboard and questions you'll probably learn a lot more about expletives than your chosen topic. No-one actually polls a pub. It's on a par with all the other economic nostrums – plucked out of the air. It's guesswork based on the prejudice of the campaigner. John Laurie, Riddells Creek Thank you, Isabel I felt very sick and collapsed while trying to get off at South Yarra station last Friday. A young nurse on her way to work at Cabrini Hospital came over to ask if I was OK, and called the wonderful paramedics who took my blood pressure and took me to the Alfred Hospital. Its staff were kind and professional, and after about five hours involving constant monitoring of my blood pressure, an ECG and a CT of my head, I was cleared to go home. I tried to contact the nurse who helped me on the train to thank her, but I couldn't as I only knew her first name, Isabel. There is a lot in the press about the inadequacies of our health system, but we should be so proud of our frontline health workers, doctors, nurses and paramedics and so grateful for their care. Catherine Needham, Parkdale AFL comedy channel I'm a bit disappointed at Channel 7's lack of imagination in dumping the broadcast of the upcoming Blues v Bombers game for August 21. It could have billed it as a comedy in the tradition of 1960s British Carry On films, featuring slapstick fumbling, dropped marks, missed goals and kicks and Keystone Cops-like packs chasing the ball. What a missed opportunity. Pier Paolo De Carlo, Ascot Vale Docklands mystery It's still a mystery after years of huge investments and planning that at lunchtime I see an empty Docklands. On the north facing boulevard to the library on a perfect, sunny Friday, restaurants are derelict and not one person is on the moored megayachts. Every time a new iconic tower is completed the street life seems to decline. Is this what was planned, and if not what changes are needed? Robert Irvine, Sunbury AND ANOTHER THING Work from home Our roads are in an abysmal state of disrepair, so it will be interesting when those employed to fix the innumerable pot-holes decide to work from home. Helen Moss, Croydon I look forward to train, tram and taxi drivers, ambulance crews, policemen and garbage collectors all working from home. Les Aisen, Elsternwick The sheer scale and volume of the pushback against Jacinta Allan's stance on protecting the current WFH arrangements clearly demonstrates that such protection is needed. Geoffrey McNaughton, Glen Huntly Furthermore It is beyond appalling that Kathleen Folbigg has been awarded a measly $2 million as compensation for being wrongly convicted of killing her children and imprisoned for two decades. Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights Re ″ Talking parrot brings down gang turns stool pigeon ″ 8/8. At last we know why there's a dearth of orange bellied parrots on the Bellarine. They've joined the police force. Margaret Skeen, Pt Lonsdale Geo-politics Australia appears to have an even-handed approach to the war in Ukraine, providing aid to Ukraine while simultaneously buying Russian oil from India, leaving our feet free to kick the Ukrainian people when they are down. Ken Machin, Grovedale Let's say nyet zero to Aussie cars running on crude oil from Russia. Paul Custance, Highett
7NEWS
5 days ago
- 7NEWS
Former state prosecutor slams decision to grant Snowtown serial killer parole
The youngest member of the trio that put Snowtown on the map for one of Australia's most horrific murder cases has been given parole, angering some members of the South Australian community. James Spyridon Vlassakis has been behind bars since 2001 for the 'body in the barrels' murders, which were committed around Adelaide between August 1992 and May 1999. The now 45-year-old has spent 26 years in jail. Vlassakis was only 19-years old when he pleaded guilty to the murders of Troy Youde, 21, who was Vlassakis' half-brother, David Johnson, Vlassakis' step-brother, Frederick Brooks and Gary O'Dwyer. He was the only member of the 'body in the barrels' murders to receive a non-parole period when sentenced. Vlassakis has a suppression order in place, preventing him from being identified due to the evidence that lead to the conviction of his co-accused, Robert Wagner and Mark Haydon. However, former director of public prosecutions Stephen Pallaras said the killer doesn't deserve to be back in the community, and said Vlassakis's good behaviour while behind bars is 'what they're meant to do'. 'I'm astonished they've even considered parole,' he told 7NEWS. 'I think the community are going to be astonished, shocked and frightened about this decision. 'The community expects that prisoners who commit such horrendous crimes are not free to walk around, and I would call on the attorney to do something about it.' The attorney general, police commissioner and victims rights commissioner have 60 days to review and if there are grounds to appeal James Vlassakis' release on parole. Attorney general Kyam Maher and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the parole board's grounds for release will be carefully considered. 'The bodies in the barrels case has a very significant impact I think on the psyche of South Australia and for a while how others saw South Australia,' Maher said, 'We will wait to get the formal reasons for the decision, we will wait to get all the conditions imposed then take advice.' Stevens said the court 26 years ago could have made Vlassakis's non-parole period longer, and he will wait for further advice from his department. 'The court back at the time of sentencing applied a non-parole period of 26 years, that was a determination of the court, it was in the court's discretion to apply a longer period for parole,' he said. 'We will look at all circumstances and based on the advice I'm provided, which will also take into account community safety, I'll make a decision whether to make a review.'
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why releasing the youngest Snowtown murderer was the right decision
James Vlassakis is a self-confessed serial killer. He took part in the depraved torture and murder of four people. One of them was his friend, another was his half-brother, the final was his stepbrother – who he lured to his death in an old bank in the mid-north South Australian hamlet of Snowtown. It would be easy, also understandable, to arrive at the conclusion that for such heinous crimes, for taking four lives, he should never be released. However, after serving 26 years in prison, the South Australian Parole Board has decided to grant Vlassakis parole. Unless, within 60 days, there's a request for a review of that decision by the state's police commissioner, Attorney-General or Victims' Rights Commissioner, his integration back into society will begin. It will be gradual. Some will be surprised or outraged by the decision. However, it helps to understand how Vlassakis became a killer. It may inform the view that, perhaps, he is entitled to this conditional release. It was John Bunting who orchestrated what has become known as the Snowtown murders. Eleven killings between 1992 and 1999. The victims were people Bunting knew or had encountered, who he decided were worthless and targeted because they were homosexual – because he felt them worthless or, in his warped mind, he believed they were paedophiles. Mostly, Bunting was driven by his desire to kill. In some cases, victims were tortured. Their pensions were stolen from bank accounts long after they vanished. At Bunting's side was Robert Wagner, convicted of 10 of the murders. As the crimes were committed, others were drawn into the evil by Bunting – some were then killed themselves. Loading When John Bunting began a relationship with James Vlassakis's mother, the troubled teen fell under his control. Weak from neglect, abuse and drug use, Vlassakis, who had watched his dad die years before, saw Bunting as a father figure. Slowly, Vlassakis' vulnerable mind was poisoned – he was coerced into killing. He feared that if he didn't take part, he would be next. He probably would have been. In May 1999, when police discovered bodies in barrels in the old Snowtown bank vault, Bunting and Wagner were quickly arrested. So, too, Mark Haydon, who would eventually be jailed for assisting them. Vlassakis was not. In the days that followed, he spiralled to the brink of suicide and, before long, confessed to his crimes. He provided the detectives on Taskforce Chart with information which helped them unravel Australia's worst case of serial murder.
The Age
5 days ago
- The Age
Why releasing the youngest Snowtown murderer was the right decision
James Vlassakis is a self-confessed serial killer. He took part in the depraved torture and murder of four people. One of them was his friend, another was his half-brother, the final was his stepbrother – who he lured to his death in an old bank in the mid-north South Australian hamlet of Snowtown. It would be easy, also understandable, to arrive at the conclusion that for such heinous crimes, for taking four lives, he should never be released. However, after serving 26 years in prison, the South Australian Parole Board has decided to grant Vlassakis parole. Unless, within 60 days, there's a request for a review of that decision by the state's police commissioner, Attorney-General or Victims' Rights Commissioner, his integration back into society will begin. It will be gradual. Some will be surprised or outraged by the decision. However, it helps to understand how Vlassakis became a killer. It may inform the view that, perhaps, he is entitled to this conditional release. It was John Bunting who orchestrated what has become known as the Snowtown murders. Eleven killings between 1992 and 1999. The victims were people Bunting knew or had encountered, who he decided were worthless and targeted because they were homosexual – because he felt them worthless or, in his warped mind, he believed they were paedophiles. Mostly, Bunting was driven by his desire to kill. In some cases, victims were tortured. Their pensions were stolen from bank accounts long after they vanished. At Bunting's side was Robert Wagner, convicted of 10 of the murders. As the crimes were committed, others were drawn into the evil by Bunting – some were then killed themselves. Loading When John Bunting began a relationship with James Vlassakis's mother, the troubled teen fell under his control. Weak from neglect, abuse and drug use, Vlassakis, who had watched his dad die years before, saw Bunting as a father figure. Slowly, Vlassakis' vulnerable mind was poisoned – he was coerced into killing. He feared that if he didn't take part, he would be next. He probably would have been. In May 1999, when police discovered bodies in barrels in the old Snowtown bank vault, Bunting and Wagner were quickly arrested. So, too, Mark Haydon, who would eventually be jailed for assisting them. Vlassakis was not. In the days that followed, he spiralled to the brink of suicide and, before long, confessed to his crimes. He provided the detectives on Taskforce Chart with information which helped them unravel Australia's worst case of serial murder.
Sky News AU
07-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Parole Board to hear release bid for Snowtown killer James Vlassakis
A notorious Snowtown killer who murdered members of his own family could win his bid for freedom as early as next month. The South Australian Parole Board is scheduled to consider a parole application from James Vlassakis, who pleaded guilty on August 5 to four murders for his part in the gruesome 'bodies in the barrels' killing rampage across Adelaide in the 1990s. Vlassakis, John Justin Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner slaughtered 11 people between 1992 and 1999. Police found some of the victims decomposing in barrels hidden in the vault of a disused bank in the town of Snowtown, north of Adelaide. Vlassakis testified against Bunting and Wagner, helping the prosecution to secure convictions against the killers. Two of Vlassakis's victims included his half-brother Troy Youde and stepbrother David Johnson. In 2002, Vlassakis was punished with a life sentence and a non-parole period of 26 years, backdated to his arrest. In May this year, he lodged an application for parole. Parole Board chair Frances Nelson, speaking with the Adelaide Advertiser, confirmed the board would likely decide on his application at its August 5 meeting. She said the board had also asked the Department for Correctional Services to provide a 'through-care' plan, which considers how a prisoner might be resocialised in the community following release from jail. Snowtown accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, who helped cover up seven of the killings, was released on parole in May this year after 25 years in prison. Under the terms of his release, Haydon must be of good behaviour and not commit any offences. He is supervised by a Community Corrections officer and now resides at an approved address. Haydon is barred from knowingly contacting or associating with, either directly or indirectly, the victims of his offending, including any members of their immediate family, and is banned from leaving or attempting to leave South Australia. The Snowtown killings gained national and international attention due to the heinous nature of the murders, which involved torture. The 2011 film Snowtown, directed by Justin Kurzel, attempted to capture the viciousness of the crimes. Actor Lucas Pittaway played the role of Vlassakis, with the film anchored in his perspective. Daniel Henshall played the part of Bunting and won Best Actor at the 2012 AACTA Awards for his portrayal of the manipulative predator. The movie proved to be controversial, with some critics praising its realistic depiction of the killings, while others deplored the violence. A suppression order is in place for Vlassakis's image. The Parole Board has been contacted for comment. Originally published as Parole hearing for Snowtown killer James Spyridon Vlassakis set for August 5
