Supporters rally for coronial inquest into death of Jari Wise

Protesters have sounded loud cries in support for a coronial inquest to be held into the death of Tasmanian father Jari Wise. WHY THEY WANT AN INQUEST >

Shaylah Grace and mother Faith Tkalac at a rally in Hobart calling for an inquest into the death of Ms Tkalac's son, Jari Wise.

The booming cries of family, friends and strangers demanding a coronial inquest into the death of Tasmanian father Jari Wise were carried directly through the doors to the office of the Attorney-General.

A crowd of more than 70 people, including Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad and members of Mr Wise’s family, gathered on Parliament Lawns on Tuesday afternoon to make their voices heard.

Mr Wise was struck and killed by a car driven by his girlfriend, Melissa Oates, in February 2020.

After knocking Mr Wise down, Oates drove away from the scene, leaving his body on the road.

She was found to have a blood-alcohol level of three times the legal limit.

Shaylah Grace and mother Faith Tkalac at a rally calling for an inquest into the death of Ms Tkalac's son, Jari Wise, who died after being struck by his girlfriend's car in February 2020.

Jari Wise.

Oates was sentenced in April 2021 to 14 months’ jail – of which she served just eight behind bars – on charges of dangerous driving, drink driving, and failing to stop and assist in an accident.

At the rally, Mr Wise’s mother Faith Tkalac said the inquest would be about “accountability”, and that Jari's death “ticked almost all the boxes” for an inquest.

“They need to see that people want this (inquest) to happen; it is in the public interest,” Ms Tkalac said.

She said she received messages from people not just in Australia, but around the world asking if there would be an inquest.

After speeches, the crowd marched to the office of the Attorney-General with several standing in the doorway shouting calls of “yes to the inquest” and “justice for Jari” loudly.

(L to R): Hamish McLean, Faith Tkalac and Ben Mildren at a rally for Ms Tkalac's son Jari Wise.

Speaking to The Mercury, Ms Haddad said Mr Wise’s family had the support of Labor in their calls for an inquest.

“It is completely within the power of the Attorney-General to call for that coronial inquest to be held,” Ms Haddad said.

“And what the family is asking for is completely reasonable and completely within the bounds of the law to ask for.”

She said while a coronial inquest wouldn’t bring Mr Wise back, nor would it mean that new charges would be pressed, it would bring closure to the family.

“And it would potentially allow for some of the evidence that wasn’t heard in court to at least be brought to public light and be examined,” she said.

Attorney-General Elise Archer in a statement said Labor were aware of an application before the Supreme Court, seeking an order that the Coroner hold an inquest.

“I would urge Labor to respect this independent judicial process and allow it to take its course, instead of trying to interfere for their own political purposes,” Ms Archer said.