Parole decision rests with minister

Most other public inquiry recommendations followed

Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey says the buck stops with him when it comes to granting prisoners parole.

It comes after the department implemented a raft of changes to the system following a landmark public inquiry after the death of Gwen Valentine in 2014.

Although the vast majority of suggestions were accepted by the DHA, it threw out the proposed move to allow the Parole Committee the final say.

However, Mr Malarkey says it is very unlikely he'd overrule the advice of the committee.