Queensland’s “no body, no parole” laws upheld as convict of double murder attempts legal challenge without success | Crimes – Australia

A man named Rodney Michael Cherry, who was found guilty in 2002 of murdering his wife Annette Cherry and his stepsdaughter Kira Guise at Roma, Queensland, has lost his bid in the High Court to overturn Queensland’s “no body, no parole” laws. Cherry, who is currently serving a life sentence, has not cooperated in locating where Kira’s remains might be found. His legal team argued that these laws gave too much power to the parole board rather than the Supreme Court that sentenced him. However, the High Court rejected his appeal, stating these laws did not invalidate his sentence, nor did they increase it. This ruling was influenced by previous cases including Julian Knight and Craig Minogue, where states intervened to prevent the release of prisoners eligible for parole. Additionally, the Court ruled that Cherry should pay the legal costs of the case. The High Court was also provided arguments in support of the “no body, no parole” laws by attorneys general from several Australian states, indicating a broad agreement among states and territories on these laws.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/09/double-murderer-fails-in-bid-to-overturn-queenslands-no-body-no-parole-laws-ntwnfb