Jari’s Law has passed the House of Assembly, the final hurdle

The wait is over for a grieving mother who never gave up on her push for news laws after her son was killed. Here’s what the new laws mean.

Faith Tkalac and her son Jari Wise, who died when he was struck by a car driven by his on-off girlfriend, Melissa Oates. Picture: Supplied

Coroners will be required to hold an inquest if an individual has died as a result of family violence, after ‘Jari’s Law’ passed the final hurdle.

The new law, which changes the Coroner’s Act, passed in Tasmania’s House of Assembly, after an amendment was made in the Legislative Council last month.

It comes after a lengthy campaign by Faith Tkalac, the mother of Jari Wise.

Mr Wise died in 2020 after he was struck by a car driven by his on-off girlfriend Melissa Oates.

Oates served eight months in jail for dangerous driving, drink driving and failing to stop and assist in an accident, but was not charged with causing Mr Wise’s death.

Jari Wise was killed at Huonville in February 2020. PICTURES FROM FACEBOOK

Last year, former Attorney-General Elise Archer overruled the Supreme Court and ordered an inquest be held into Mr Wise’s death.

Ms Tkalac said it was an inquest her son deserved.

“To me, the fact that all political parties seemed happy enough to take a look at Jari’s Law and all were in agreement that the change was needed was almost enough,” Ms Tkalac said on Thursday.

“Obviously to have it pass was my ultimate goal though, to be able to grieve the loss of my son was something that I had to keep pushing to the side because I needed his truth to be told.”

Other parts of the bill included repealing the crime of blasphemy, limiting the defence’s ability to question evidence because of a delay in reporting family violence matters and getting rid of time limits to prosecute ‘indecent assault’.

Faith Tkalac. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Unfortunately I’ve met with many families that are stuck in the traumatic experience of emotional limbo that my own family felt while waiting for this to occur. No one should have to wait for that,” Ms Tkalac said.

“My hope is that Jari’s Law will somehow make the worst time in someone else’s life slightly easier.

“Had I not had to wait for the AG to overturn the Supreme Courts decision not to hold the inquest then I could’ve started moving forward sooner. Never moving on, but forward.

“I’m sure there were many times ‘Juzz’ (Jari) would’ve been saying ‘chill out mum, you’ll get there’. I didn’t give up and I never will.”

Ms Tkalac said there were still changes to Tasmania’s legal system which needed to be made.

“There are many obvious changes that need to be made to the current justice system in Tasmania and I’ve made it my own personal ambition to chip away at these until I can’t,” she said.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett said the new law had come as a result of “tireless” advocacy.

“Family violence has no place in our modern society,” he said.

“It is critical the Government’s response to protecting those exposed to family violence is informed by evidence, and an understanding of the circumstances that contribute to family violence-related deaths,”

“Jari’s Law now means obtaining these answers is made more likely – resulting in a greater sense of closure and of course a clearer avenue for justice.”

Jari’s Law will be reviewed after two years.