The trial of the man accused of starting a fire in an Australian backpackers hostel which killed 15 travellers has been postponed.
Mr Robert Long (38) a fruit picker, was due to appear at the Bundaberg Supreme Court on arson and murder charges next Monday.
He is accused of murdering 22-year-old twins Kellie and Stacey Slarke from Western Australia in the blaze on June 23rd last year which engulfed the Palace Backpackers Hostel, in Childers. He also faces one count of arson.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution in Brisbane confirmed that the trial had been adjourned ahead of a High Court appeal to move the case to a court in Brisbane.
Deputy director Mr Michael Byrne said: "The trial has been adjourned for a date to be fixed until after the High Court appeal."
The defence team are attempting to switch the case to a court 190 miles away in the Queensland capital, claiming that the current court, which is 30 miles from Childers, is to close to the site of the fire.
They argue that impartiality among local jurors would be a problem.
An Irish woman, six Britons, four Australians, two backpackers from the Netherlands and one each from South Korea and Japan died in the blaze.
Mr Long was arrested at Howard, south of Childers, after a nationwide hunt by officers who had tracked him through the bush with dogs.
AP