The then 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named, admitted to speeding at more than 200km/h down a highway near Maryborough, on the Fraser Coast, and causing a three-car crash that killed Michale Chandler, 29, Kelsie Davies, 17, and Sheree Robertson, 52.

He was sentenced to six years, to serve 60 per cent of that time behind bars.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington ordered an appeal against the “manifestly inadequate” sentence, arguing the teen should have received seven years, the maximum sentence at the time.

After two weeks of deliberations, three appeal judges decided to throw out the appeal, finding the six-year sentence was “significant” and “appropriate” given the teen’s age, guilty plea, lack of criminal history and “positive engagement” with detention programs.

The families of the victims were not in court to hear the appeal denied.

Victims advocate Lyndy Atkinson told 9News she was disappointed and frustrated by the decision.

“It speaks for itself that the victims here are not here, because they just, they knew that there wouldn’t be any change,” Atkinson said.

“It just doesn’t meet community expectations.

“He’s out at the end of next year and he’ll be 16.

“Leading his best life and yet he’s destroyed so many lives, three lives, and all the families with it.”