Sue Neill-Fraser applies for parole after serving 13 years behind bars for murder of Bob Chappell

Sue Neill-Fraser has applied for parole, 13 years after she was incarcerated for the murder of her partner, Bob Chappell.

SUE Neill-Fraser has applied for parole.

As of Saturday, the 68-year-old has completed her minimum jail term of 13 years for the 2009 murder of her partner Bob Chappell.

If her bid at an upcoming Parole Board of Tasmania hearing is successful, Neill-Fraser could be a free woman within months.

The turn of events has been welcomed by her supporters, who had believed she wouldn’t leave the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison without a full exoneration.

They are also welcoming news the grandmother of four has decided to abandon her plans to go on a hunger strike on her 13th anniversary behind bars.

Sue Neill-Fraser arrives at Launceston Supreme Court. Picture: BRUCE MOUNSTER

Andrew Wilkie, the Independent member for Clark, told a rally at Parliament Lawns on Saturday it was a “wonderful turn of events”.

“I think we can all get much comfort that she was persuaded by her family and loved ones to take parole, to not go on a hunger strike, and get out of Risdon and join us.”

He told attendees he shared their dismay at last week’s decision by the High Court not to hear Neill-Fraser’s appeal.

“What we can get some comfort from though is Sue’s very recent decision to take the option of parole. This is a big deal,” he said.

Mr Wilkie also said he would take the matter to Canberra, and “take the fight up to the new government” for the establishment of a Federal Criminal Case Review Commission.

He also said he’d keep pushing at a state level for the conviction to be quashed, and for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry.

Barbara Etter. Supporters of Sue Neill-Fraser rally on parliament lawns marking 13 years since her arrest. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Former Premier and Attorney-General Lara Giddings said a witness in the case – Meaghan Vass – had “tried to tell the truth on more than one occasion” that she was on board the couple’s yacht the night Mr Chappell died.

But she said it would take an inquiry and possible additional forensic testing and expert evidence – as in the Lindy Chamberlain case – “to get the truth”.

“Let’s hope the Parole Board sees fit to let Sue out and she will at least be able to start to rebuild her life, while we help to clear her name,” she said.

“We have to, because if we do not stop and learn from the case, it is only a matter of when the next innocent person is found guilty of crime they did not commit.”

Rosie Crumpton-Crook, president of the Sue Neill-Fraser Support Group, said even if her parole bid was successful, her supporters would “never stop rallying and fighting” to clear her name.

Rosie Crumpton-Crook. Supporters of Sue Neill-Fraser rally on parliament lawns marking 13 years since her arrest. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Whether she’s in prison or out of prison, we will not stop until there is an independent commission of inquiry.”

If Neill-Fraser is not successful in her parole bid, she could potentially serve up to a maximum of 23 years in prison.

It is not clear whether a date for her parole hearing has yet been set.

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