Both houses of the Tasmanian Parliament have now passed the Further Right to Appeal legislation unanimously and the Bill has now gone to the Governor, Her Excellency, Kate Warner, for Royal Assent.

This legislation allows for “fresh and compelling evidence” to be brought forward when other avenues of appeal have been exhausted.

The Premier, Will Hodgman, made it clear that this would also include evidence of “tainted” evidence, misconduct or non-disclosure in a trial.

People accused of serious crimes will now be eligible to apply if they meet this criteria.

Lynn Giddings