The 36-year-old jail sentence given to a man who raped and murdered international student Aiia Maasarwe near a Melbourne tram stop is too lenient, prosecutors say.
Codey Herrmann beat the 21-year-old over the head with a metal pole at least 13 times, sexually assaulted her, covering her in flammable WD-40 spray and set her on fire at Bundoora in January 2019.
Herrmann pleaded guilty to rape and murder, and was jailed for a maximum of 36 years.
Then aged 21, he was ordered to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd QC is appealing the sentence, arguing Hermann should serve life, albeit with the possibility of parole.
Among other things, Ms Judd argued the sentence as it stood did not give sufficient weight to the protection of the community.
The director also said it placed too much weight on Herrmann's profoundly traumatic background.
Herrmann has a severe personality and a substance abuse disorder following a childhood marred by severe deprivation, abuse and disadvantage.
"This was a vicious, callous and intentional killing of an unsuspecting young woman who was the unfortunate and random victim of 'primitive male rage'," Ms Judd submitted to the Court of Appeal.
"(Herrmann) showed no regard for the victim in the attack or in his burning of her body.
"The shocking nature of (his) offending has had and continues to have a devastating impact on the victim's family."
Herrmann's legal aid lawyer, Tim Marsh, said the appeal should be dismissed.
He argued sentence as it stood struck the appropriate balance between denouncing and deterring a serious crime, and mitigating factors in Herrmann's case.
