Get tough on parole: Parents

His criminal history, read out in court yesterday, revealed Livingstone had previously breached bail, probation and community orders before the attack.

“It has been a very long journey, which has brought a great deal of grief and heartache to the family,” Mr Quayle’s friend Dylan Colby said.

“And the family have expressed their keenness to see stricter conditions applied to offenders receiving parole.

“Justice won one today for the community. A dangerous human being has been put away and all I can say is I’m glad that this will not happen to anyone else’s family.”

Mr Quayle’s adopted cousin Katrina Bradley feared Livingstone could reoffend.

“It angers and frustrates me that the only reason for Phil’s death was some kid on probation who wanted to be his own ... idea of a big man with two friends too cowardly to say no or get help,” she said in a victim impact statement.

“I have nightmares still about Phil lying there dying alone, it sickens me. I am terrified for his next victim and his family and friends.”

Former solicitor-general Walter Sofronoff handed down his review into the state’s parole system in February, recommending 91 changes to the system.

Sparked by the killing of Townsville grandmother Beth Kippin in her Wulguru home, allegedly at the hands of Anthony O’Keefe, the in-depth review detailed dozens of changes to the parole and corrections systems, the need for independent oversight in prisons and more resources to deal with mental health and drugaddicted prisoners.

Mr Sofronoff was critical of the lack of action on parole for the past three decades and how far the state had fallen behind the rest of the country.

“The system has become antiquated and emaciated,” Mr Sofronoff’s review reads. “For the protection of the community, it has to be reformed and funded properly.”