Convicted murderer's media 'gag order' lifted

Convicted murderer Susan Neill-Fraser will be allowed to speak to the media after a "restrictive" parole condition order was lifted, her lawyers say.

The grandmother was released from prison on parole in 2022 after serving 13 years for killing partner Bob Chappell on their yacht moored off Hobart on Australia Day 2009.

Neill-Fraser has maintained her innocence and has launched multiple court appeals against the conviction, all of which have failed.

Tasmania's parole board in 2024 placed a condition on the 72-year-old's parole, prohibiting her from communicating directly or indirectly with media to claim her alleged innocence or a wrongful conviction.

In 2025, that condition was tweaked to prevent her from communicating directly or indirectly, including through third parties and written statements, to various media forms about her alleged innocence, wrongful conviction or to dispute the legitimacy of her conviction or sentencing.

The Human Rights Law Centre on Tuesday said the parole board had removed the condition.

Neill-Fraser had launched legal action to lift the condition, which the centre said was unreasonable and breached constitutionally implied freedom of political communication.

"This decision is an important vindication of Susan's rights, which we have fought to protect for more than a year," centre legal director Sarah Schwartz said.

"We are pleased that Susan is no longer subject to a restriction that prevented her from being able to participate in public debate.

"The right to speak out and participate in public debate is foundational to a healthy democracy."

A spokesperson for the parole board said it could not comment on individual matters or matters currently before the court.

Neill-Fraser was initially sentenced to 26 years' jail in 2010, after she was found to have attacked Mr Chappell on their yacht and dumped his body, which has never been found, in the River Derwent.

Her daughter Sarah Bowles, as well as federal MP Andrew Wilkie and former Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings, have unsuccessfully pushed for an independent inquiry into the case.

Her supporters argue the police investigation was flawed and the trial did not follow legal requirements.