Snowtown serial killer James Vlassakis has appeared at a hearing to set a date for a review of a decision to release him on parole.
But Parole Administrative Review Commissioner Michael David KC has ruled the review hearing will be closed to the media.
Vlassakis, who is aged in his mid-40s, appeared via videolink on Friday at a directions hearing in Adelaide.
South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher has requested a review of the SA Parole Board's decision in August to grant parole to Vlassakis, who pleaded guilty to four of the 11 murders between 1992 and 1999.
Strict suppression orders remain in place regarding identification of Vlassakis, and prevent any images or descriptions of him being published.
If freed, it is believed he will be the first serial killer released on parole in Australia.
Mr David said a hearing on the review would be held on December 5, but would be closed to the media.
The attorney-general earlier in October said the board "erred in granting the prisoner's release on parole".
Mr Maher said the board "failed to give proper weight" to the safety of the community, the likelihood of the prisoner complying with the conditions of parole, the circumstances and gravity of the offence, and any reports tendered to the board.
Counsel for media, Peter Campbell, told Mr David there was significant public interest in the review proceedings, and reporting on the details was important to "preserving confidence in the parole board and the process" and general principles of open justice.
Mr David made it clear that under law, proceedings for the review "must be heard in private".
He said he was yet to make a decision on what material would be released from the proceedings, but it would be "illogical to let you know the decision but not the reasons".
Lindy Powell KC, for Vlassakis, told Mr David "our problem is that we haven't had any material before the parole board yet. I imagine it's voluminous".
Mr David replied: "It's not."
Vlassakis was 18 when he became involved in the killings in 1998 and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years, which expired in August 2025.
Parole Board chief Frances Nelson previously said Vlassakis did not represent a risk to the community and would be sent to the Adelaide pre-release centre for up to 12 months and undergo a resocialisation process.
The attorney-general, Commissioner for Victims Rights Sarah Quick and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens had 60 days to apply for a review. Each was represented at Friday's hearing.
Vlassakis was a key prosecution witness against John Bunting and Robert Wagner, who were found guilty of 11 and 10 murders respectively.
The bodies of eight of their victims were found dismembered in barrels inside a disused bank vault in Snowtown, north of Adelaide, in 1999.
Accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, 66, was released on parole in May 2024 to live in the community under strict supervision.