| Russell Street bomber, suspect in 1986 murder, moved ahead of parole eligibility |
The mother of murdered Melbourne teenager Prue Bird says she is on edge at the thought the man linked to her daughter's death could soon be released from jail.
Craig Minogue has served 29 years for the 1986 bombing of Victoria Police's headquarters on Russell Street.
He was a standover man and a violent armed robber before his attack on the police force, which killed police officer Angela Taylor and injured many more.
He has now been moved to the campus-style Loddon medium security prison, near Castlemaine, and is one step closer to parole, which he can apply for in nine months' time.
Police questioned him over the 1992 murder of 13-year-old Prue Bird, but he has never been charged and has always denied any involvement.
Minogue is suspected of giving the order for the teenager to be killed as a payback for her grandparents, Julie and Paul Hetzel, for turning against him.
Paul Hetzel was a crown witness who testified that Minogue was one of the architects of the Russell Street bombing.
The Hetzels have been in hiding since Minogue's arrest.
While in prison, Minogue killed a fellow inmate, Alex Tsakmakis, but no extra time was added to his 29-year sentence for the bombings.
The judge at the time said the crime should be taken into account by the parole board.
'They all say they're reformed'
Minogue maintains he is a changed man.
He has gained a PhD in ethics and is a published author.
The teenager's mother, Jenny Bird, said she was sceptical of Minogue's reformation, and nervous about the prospect he could be paroled.
"They all say they're reformed, but I think the crime that was committed with Angela Taylor, that was just horrific," she said.
"He also killed again while he was in there, he is a suspect for Prue still, and no, I don't think he should be getting out.
"I think anyone can say they are reformed, and we've seen it time and time again that people are released and they re-offend."
The Victorian Government said parole decisions were the responsibility of the parole board and its most important consideration was community safety.
Many police who have dealt with Minogue worry that he will be made a poster boy for reform by the parole board.
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