Australia legal updates: murder sentence reviews and parole controversies

In New South Wales, the Director of Public Prosecutions is reviewing the 28-year sentence handed to Daniel Billings for the murder of Molly Ticehurst. Billings, who was on bail at the time of the attack, received a 20 per cent statutory discount for his guilty plea. NSW Premier Chris Minns and local officials have criticized the sentence as inadequate, calling for a more severe penalty.

Separately, Callum Fairleigh, the first man in NSW jailed for coercive control, was released on parole shortly after being convicted of harassing a second woman. Fairleigh had previously served 15 months for abusing a former partner before committing new offenses involving stalking and intimidation.

In Western Australia, Andre Rebelo has withdrawn his appeal against his conviction for the 2020 murder of his mother, Colleen Rebelo. Rebelo, who was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years for killing his mother to access life insurance policies, will now serve his full term.