The families of three Victorians killed by parolees are backing a push to release confidential government reports detailing the state's parole system.
Two reports into parolees being charged with murder, completed in 2011 and 2012, have been suppressed during an inquest, with the government strongly arguing against their release.
But Amy Brennan, a lawyer representing the three victims' families, says they want the reports made public after being allowed to read them in private.
She told the Victorian Coroners Court on Friday that while reading the reports had in no way relieved their pain, it had been cathartic and gave them an understanding of a system that let criminals kill people while on parole.
Ms Brennan is representing the families of Evan Rudd, who was killed over a parking dispute; Joanne Wicking, who was stabbed to death by a parolee; and Robyn Weitering, who lost her father to a parolee murder.
All three families have been given permission to appear at the inquest into the 2009 death of 40-year-old Margaret Burton, who was killed by her partner who was on parole at the time and took his own life.
But Liam Brown, a lawyer for the justice department, argued that the parole review documents should be kept confidential because they were used in cabinet to form government policy.
Media lawyer Justin Quill, in applying for access, said it was vital to let the public read the reports too.
"It's hard to imagine a matter that has a higher public interest value attracted to it," he said.
State Coroner Ian Gray said he'd likely decide within a week if he would release the reports.
But Mr Brown flagged that the government would immediately appeal the decision if the coroner decided to lift a suppression order on the material.
The inquest has been adjourned for a later date.
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