Call to send killer home to France
HOME Hill hostel killer Smail Ayad should be deported to his home country of France to serve his detention in a mental health facility, some in the Burdekin community say.
The comments follow this week’s decision by the Mental Health Court that Ayad will not face trial because of an “unsound mind” and that he be detained in a mental health facility.
But many were reluctant to comment on the tragic events almost two years ago and the campaign by the mother of one of the victims for better regulation of farm work by international backpackers.
“You will probably find a lot of farmers won’t comment,” one source, who did not want to be identified, said.
British backpacker Mia Ayliffe- Chung was stabbed to death and another backpacker Tom Jackson later died in hos- pital from stabbing wounds inflicted at the Home Hill hostel in August 2016.
President of the Home Hill Community Sports Club Bob Ford said for people directly involved, those events would be something they would never forget.
But he believed the community was moving on in the knowledge there was nothing more they could have done.
“There’s a limit to what you can do. It’s a tragedy that could happen anywhere. I think I reflect the majority of what the community would feel with the situation. We hope it never happens again,” Mr Ford said.
“It strikes home when it hits in your own backyard.”
Mr Ford understood Mr Ayad’s condition meant he could not stand trial.
“I think it’s best if he went back to France and did his time in custody in France,” Mr Ford said.
“I don’t see why we should foot the bill. I don’t think there’s any point to keep him in Australia.”
Mr Ford said, if anything, more international backpackers were being attracted to the region as the fruit and vegetable growing industry in which they were employed expanded.
“Other hostels are opening to meet demand in the expansion of small crop farming,” Mr Ford said. “It’s becoming more … important to the region.”
Burdekin Shire Council held a candlelight service in Home Hill’s Memorial Park last August to remember the young woman and man whose lives were tragically cut short.
Mia Ayliffe- Chung’s mother Rosie Ayliffe is campaigning for better regulation of the program which requires 88 days of work in regional areas to obtain a second- year extension of visas.