Queensland police call Kiwis in Childers fire case

By JO-MARIE BROWN

At least two New Zealand backpackers who escaped the Childers hostel fire in Queensland last year will give evidence to help decide whether the man accused of starting the blaze should stand trial.

Hayden Leech, aged 22, formerly of Tauranga, who now lives in Perth, and Dion O'Brien, aged 24, formerly of Auckland, now of Sydney, both escaped the blaze which engulfed the Palace Backpackers youth hostel in June, killing 15 people.

Both men have been asked by Queensland police to give evidence via telephone this week at the committal hearing in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court for Robert Paul Long, who faces two charges of murder and one of arson.

A further nine charges have been adjourned until next month.

Speaking from Perth yesterday, Mr Leech said he had been one of the last people walking around the hostel before the fire began just after midnight.

"I didn't actually see him but I was still up quite late that night."

Mr Leech said he had been with his friend, Mr O'Brien, who had also been asked to testify.

Of the 62 people who escaped the inferno, seven were New Zealanders, but it was not known if the other New Zealanders would be called to give evidence.

Tia Pou, aged 26, of Invercargill, said she had made a statement to Childers police the day after the fire.

"I guess the police have gone through ... and picked out people who saw him that night to give evidence," Ms Pou said.

International media packed the Brisbane court on Tuesday to see Long, whom they described as "jockey-sized, with a small paunch and thin, rounded shoulders."

The 37-year-old itinerant fruit-picker did not enter a plea and sat silently throughout the hearing, even ignoring the presence of his adoptive parents, Syd and Norma Long, who had travelled from New South Wales to see him.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the silver-haired couple, dressed in their best clothes, sat quietly in the back of the court and approached their son when the hearing adjourned at 4 pm.

Mr Long sen asked how he was doing and Mrs Long "silently placed a hand on her son's shoulder. But he did not turn to them."

The committal hearing hit a snag yesterday when Long's lawyer, Craig Chowdhury, appealed to the Supreme Court to dismiss the presiding magistrate for bias.

Magistrate Michael Halliday had expressed his sympathy to the victims' family and friends during the court hearing on Tuesday, to which Mr Chowdhury objected.

But the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal last night and the hearing will resume today.