Paul Denyer killed three young women in crimes that horrified Australia: Now, in a move that Dan Andrews hates, a new law means he may never see the light of day again

Serial killer Paul Denyer will never be eligible to apply for parole under proposed government-backed Victorian law changes.

Denyer pleaded guilty to stabbing and strangling Elizabeth Stevens, 18, Debbie Fream, 22, and Natalie Russell, 17, over a seven-week period in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Frankston in 1993.

He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but that was reduced to a non-parole period of 30 years on appeal in 1994.

The state government has introduced changes to parole laws, despite Denyer’s parole application being rejected by the Adult Parole Board in May.

Attorney General Jaclyn Symes announced Tuesday that a reform package will ban serial killers and child murderers from applying for parole until 10 years after serving their non-parole period.

The policy is at odds with the position of former Prime Minister Daniel Andrews, who opposed the changes in June while still in office, fearing it would cause major legal problems.

That same month, Andrews’ Labor government also voted down a bill introduced by the opposition that aimed to ban Denyer from applying for parole.

The changes would mean serial killer Paul Denyer (pictured), who murdered three women in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston in 1993, would never be eligible for parole.

Denyer pleaded guilty to stabbing and strangling Elizabeth Stevens (left), 18, Debbie Fream, 22, and Natalie Russell (right), 17, over a seven-week period in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Frankston in 1993

Under the new legislation, murderers, child killers and serious sex offenders can be classified as prisoners with disabilities by the parole board.

It would effectively prevent these prisoners from applying for parole for five years after their non-parole date.

Other prisoners subject to restrictions may be prevented from applying for parole for 10 years if this is deemed to be in the public interest.

The bill specifically states that Denyer cannot be released from prison unless he is physically incapacitated or terminally ill, as previously happened for Hoddle Street gunman Julian Knight and Russell Street bomber Craig Minogue.

“The family and friends of Natalie Russell, Debbie Fream and Elizabeth Stevens continue to suffer and grieve,” Mrs Symes said.

“These changes won’t cure their pain, but they can provide reassurance that he won’t hurt another woman again.”

The changes come after new advice from the attorney general, she said.

Jaclyn Symes (pictured) said new laws would ban serial killers and child killers from applying for parole up to 10 years after serving their non-parole period

The policy is at odds with the position of former premier Daniel Andrews (pictured), who opposed the changes in June while still in office, fearing it would face legal challenges.

A Coalition-backed bill with similar wording was put to the vote in the House of Lords in June, but MPs from Labour, the Greens and Legalize Cannabis worked together to defeat it.

Opposition corrections spokesman Brad Battin welcomed the change of heart in appointing Denyer, but said the government could have saved the families months of pain and anguish.

“They’ve had enough,” he said.

Ms Symes said at the time that the government’s proposed reforms were preferable to “one-man legislation”, avoiding the possibility of Denyer following Knight and Minogue’s example in launching a High Court challenge.