Keli Lane, convicted of murdering her newborn daughter Tegan in 1996, has been denied parole after more than 13 years in prison. The New South Wales State Parole Authority rejected her first bid for release on Friday, citing the state's 'no body, no parole' laws introduced in 2022.
The authority stated it was not satisfied that Lane had cooperated satisfactorily in police investigations to locate Tegan's body. Lane, 48, has maintained she gave the baby to the father, a man named Andrew Norris or Morris, shortly after giving birth at Sydney's Auburn hospital. Police have been unable to locate Tegan or the man.
Lane was convicted in 2010 on circumstantial evidence and sentenced to a maximum of 18 years, with parole eligibility from 12 May. The parole authority held a closed hearing on Friday, hearing submissions from Lane's legal representatives.
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson criticised the decision, calling Lane a 'political prisoner' and arguing the law undermines rehabilitation. She noted Lane has served her non-parole period and was an exemplary prisoner, comparing her case to that of Kathleen Folbigg, whose convictions were quashed last year.
