The killer of Huddersfield backpacker Peter Falconio could be encouraged to finally reveal the location of his body if a new law is passed in Australia.
Bradley Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of murdering Mr Falconio, 28, and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees, formerly of Almondbury, at gunpoint on a remote stretch of highway near Barrow Creek, about 200 miles north of Alice Springs, on July 14 2001.
Now the Attorney General of the Northern Territory John Elferink is planning to introduce a “no body, no parole” law into parliament.
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It would mean Murdoch was unable to apply for parole, even at the end of the 28-year “no parole” period of his life sentence, unless he reveals the location of Mr Falconio’s body.
Mr Elferink, who is the Minister for justice, said: “This legislation means that a murderer will be accountable for their own lack of contrition.
“A contrite human being is one who seeks redemption by word and action. A person who does not display that desire for absolution after committing such a heinous crime is not a person that society wants walking amongst them.
“Victim’s families have every right to closure, this will impress upon murderers that victims’ rights are superior than theirs.”
Similar legislation is in place in in South Australia and there are bills before parliament in Victoria and Western Australia.
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A spokesman for the attorney general’s department said Murdoch’s case was “the only one in the territory that fits the bill”.
He said: “He has always maintained his innocence and has never disclosed the location of Mr Falconio’s body. But he has been found guilty by a jury of his peers.
“He still has another 18 years to go before he would be eligible for parole.”
Mr Falconio, of Hepworth, and Miss Lees were driving a campervan on the remote Stuart Highway when they were ambushed by Murdoch.
Miss Lees managed to run off and hide in the darkness but no trace was ever found of Mr Falconio.
There have been many attempts over the years to try and locate Mr Falconio’s body but without any success.
Murdoch has always protested his innocence.
