The daughter of a NSW murder victim finds it "unfathomable" that the triple-killer who took her father's life in the 1970s could be released on parole.
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Tracy James joined other victims' families at the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday for the state government's appeal of a parole board decision to release Berwyn Rees, who has spent almost 40 years behind bars.
"You can't, in any way, in any world, way shape or form have a triple cop-killing murderer walking the streets," she told reporters after the hearing.
"It's still unfathomable that we're even here having to deal with this."
The State Parole Authority in February confirmed its intention to grant parole to Rees, who was sentenced in 1981 to concurrent life sentences - with 27 years' non-parole - for three murders.
His victims included Raymond James, who was fatally shot in the 1970s with customer Christopher Greenfield while working at a Sydney gun shop.
Three years later, Rees shot and killed Sergeant Keith Haydon when the police officer went to investigate his target practice in the bush.
The SPA said that in addition to the standard parole conditions, Rees would have to participate in a violent offenders' program if directed.
The 69-year-old wouldn't be able to possess firearms or any prohibited weapons, contact victims or frequent certain local government areas.
But the state government has since sought a judicial review of the decision on three grounds; jurisdictional error, an error of law and inadequate reasons.
It wants the parole decision quashed and for the SPA to determine Rees' application "in accordance with the law", according to a summons filed in court.
Lawyer Joanna Davidson at Wednesday's hearing argued the SPA didn't address the likely impact of Rees' release on the family of his victims as required.
But Leonard Karp, acting for Rees, said the authority had done so globally with other matters.
He said in circumstances where the SPA had referred to the suffering of victims and imposed parole conditions to protect them, "all that would happen if the matter were to be remitted is that the reasons would be tidied up".
Rees, who remains in custody, appeared via video link at the hearing before Justice Richard Button.
The judge has reserved his decision.
Australian Associated Press
