Queensland Government Expands Restricted Prisoner Laws to All Life-Sentenced Offenders

“What is the value of a life? For us, 15 years doesn't qualify as a life sentence.”
— Vanessa Fowler, sister of murder victim Allison Baden-Clay

Proposed Changes

The Queensland government has announced plans to expand restricted prisoner legislation to apply to all perpetrators serving a life sentence — not only child killers and those convicted of multiple murders. Restricted prisoners face harsher parole eligibility and can be deemed unsuitable for release for up to 10 years.

Background

Gerard Baden-Clay was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for the murder of his wife, Allison, with a non-parole period of 15 years. Under the proposed changes, his possible release could be pushed back by up to a decade.

Statements

Corrective Services Minister Laura Gerber said the changes would allow some of the state's worst criminals to be kept behind bars longer. She stated:

“Prisoners that commit some of the most heinous crimes, the most depraved sexual acts, murderers, prisoners like Baden-Clay, like Ashley Paul Griffith, prisoners sentenced to life now could be held in prison for up to 10 more years.”

Gerber emphasized the government's focus on the rights of victims.

Allison Baden-Clay's sister, Vanessa Fowler, said:

“We were also handed a life sentence when she was murdered, and we live without her, and we miss her each and every day. I think the question is, what is the value of a life? And for us, we believe that 15 years doesn't qualify as a life sentence.”

Parole Board Reforms

The announcement follows an independent review into Queensland's Parole Board. The government supported, or supported in principle, 31 of 46 recommendations. Changes include:

• Victims will be notified when an offender is granted parole.
• Victim submissions must be considered during all stages of parole applications.
• Community safety will be the primary consideration in parole decisions.
• Parole board decisions can be published if in the public interest.

Statistics

• There are currently 71 restricted prisoners in Queensland jails.
• 330 offenders are serving life sentences.
• In 2025, 1,809 of 6,460 total sentenced prisoners were held beyond their parole eligibility date.
• The daily cost of a prisoner in Queensland in 2023/24 was nearly $370 (over $135,000 annually).