GIST: "A former Tasmanian premier wants the appeal of convicted killer Susan Neill-Fraser to be reopened, claiming a "miscarriage of justice" in the high-profile case.
Neill-Fraser is serving 23 years' jail for murdering partner Bob Chappell on the couple's yacht in Hobart on Australia Day 2009.
The 67-year-old is awaiting a decision by Tasmania's Court of Criminal Appeal after hearings in her second appeal against the conviction concluded in March.
Lara Giddings, who was Labor premier from 2011-14, has called on state Liberal Attorney-General Elise Archer to use her powers as first law officer to reopen the appeal.
Ms Giddings cites a series of papers put together by two lawyers, including former member of Neill-Fraser's legal team Barbara Etter, that allege the police investigation into Mr Chappell's death was inadequate.
The lawyers allege flaws in the police investigation in relation to the phone records, non-disclosure of evidence by police and flawed forensics and expert evidence.
"The matters raised in these papers should be brought before the court as quickly as possible so that the court can be properly informed as to what has gone wrong in this case," Ms Giddings said in a letter sent to members of state parliament.
"(Neill-Fraser) has already spent twelve years in prison for a crime, which on the evidence contained in these papers, an objective and open-minded person would not believe she committed."
Ms Giddings claims the matters amount to a "miscarriage of justice for Sue Neill-Fraser".
Ms Archer said seeking leave to reopen the case is matter for Neill-Fraser and her lawyers.
"As a former premier and attorney-general, Ms Giddings should be aware it would not be appropriate for the government to comment on the specifics of Neill-Fraser's conviction, or engage in any commentary on the matter which is still before the Court of Criminal Appeal having reserved its decision," Ms Archer said.
"To do so would risk allegations that the government is seeking to inappropriately influence the courts."
The papers were tabled this week in Tasmania's Legislative Council by independent member Mike Gaffney who told the house he wants to "right a wrong".
Neill-Fraser was found guilty by a jury in 2010 of murdering Mr Chappell, whose body has never been found.
Her appeal was heard earlier this year under new laws in Tasmania which required "fresh and compelling" evidence to be produced.
Neill-Fraser's earlier appeal against her conviction was rejected in 2012."
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