Heather Osland, who spent nine-and-a-half years in jail after being convicted of murdering her violent husband Frank in 1991, submitted a petition for mercy from the Governor of Victoria in 1999.

When the submission was refused, Ms Osland sought access to documents outlining the reasons why.

But the Court of Appeal ruled there was no public interest in releasing the legal advice.

“I am now sure the individual advice recommended setting me free - why else would the Government fight so fiercely to deny me access to the advice?” she said.

“The Court of Appeal’s decision leaves me feeling, in a sense, blind.

“I needed transparency from the Government, but the Government refuses to be transparent and the Court of Appeal refuses to make it accountable.”

Ms Osland said her petition of mercy was written by lay people without criteria or precedents as guidance.

“It was put together for me because many people believed I did not receive the justice I deserved,” she said.

“I had no voice to speak for myself, when everybody around me knew of my husband’s violence towards me and my adult children.

“The petition was submitted to the Government because I’d exhausted all legal avenues.

“I asked the Government to show me mercy on the grounds of compassion.”

Ms Osland will study the decision and plans to consult her legal team for further advice.