Sue Neill-Fraser’s daughter says Bob Chappell would be ‘horrified’ at her murder conviction

Sue Neill-Fraser’s supporters have rallied in Hobart as they continue their push for a Commission of Inquiry into her case.

THE daughter of convicted killer Sue Neill-Fraser says her step-father would be “horrified” her mother was convicted of his killing.

Sarah Bowles told a rally in Hobart on Saturday that it was important other people did not suffer a miscarriage of justice like her mother.

“I carry Bob’s spirit of determination, he was a critical thinker,” she said.

“Bob was like a father to me.

“He would be horrified by what has happened to mum.

“I’m doing this for both of them.”

Sarah Bowles, daughter of Sue Neill-Fraser, at a rally on parliament lawns Hobart calling for a Commission of Inquiry to look at all aspects of her case. Picture: Sue Bailey

Neill-Fraser last month lost her second bid for freedom after the Court of Criminal Appeal decided two-to-one not to acquit her or order a retrial for the murder of her partner Bob Chappell on his boat on Australia Day 2009.

Ms Bowles said her mother was grateful for the support she was receiving and “she’s doing fine”.

“This is not a fringe issue and we all ought to be concerned,” she said.

“I don’t want to sound grim but the damage has already been done and we can’t undo it but we can do something positive and ensure others do not go through what we’ve been through.”

Former premier Lara Giddings argued for an inquiry into the case.

She also urged people to read the papers prepared by lawyer Hugh Selby and former Integrity Commission chief Barbara Etter on the case.

“There was no disclosure of critical police evidence,” she said.

“We have to fight for Bob and his family so we can find the real perpetrator.”

Barbara Etter, left, and former premier Lara Giddings. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Giddings said other Tasmanians had also suffered miscarriages of justice and said there was a need for a miscarriage of justice commission.

“They, like Sue, have the right to be heard,” she said.

“Confidence in our justice system is paramount.

‘If we lose that confidence we lose confidence in everything and end up like (former US president) Trump’s America.”

Federal independent member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said he had recently visited Neill-Fraser and promised her he would work to establish a national criminal case review commission.

“Every state has people who have been mistreated and are victims of flawed forensic evidence,” he said.

“You can’t jail someone when there are unanswered questions.

“I don’t know if she is innocent or guilty but this is an unsafe conviction and she should go free.

“There is no body, no weapon, no motive and no hard evidence.

“If there is any doubt, she should be out.”

Ms Bowles said lawyers were still considering whether to seek leave to appeal to the High Court.

“We draw hope from having a dissenting judge and of course that validates what we are standing here today doing,” she said.

“This is about something so much more than just mum – this is about preventing miscarriage of justice cases occurring in the first place and putting in place reforms to ensure it doesn’t happen to other people down the track.”

Ms Bowles said support was mobilising across Australia and she was sure “this will end up being a landmark case”.