Valentine Ansett, 55, a former senior firefighter, was found guilty of indecent assault and assault with indecent intent during a massage in Hobart in 2024. He received a suspended 3-month sentence due to his cooperation and distinguished service, but has appealed the conviction.
The Australian Electoral Commission has dropped a controversial plan to rename the Tasmanian electorate of Franklin after Aboriginal resistance leader Tongerlongeter following community feedback and opposition.
Tasmanian Aboriginal rangers and elders face racist abuse on social media, with comments questioning their Aboriginality; leaders attribute the escalation to post-Voice referendum tensions and internal 'lateral violence'
Tasmanian bottle shop worker Wendy Blair, nicknamed 'The Enforcer' after using a roller door to deter thieves, has won an unfair dismissal case against BWS owner Endeavour Group in the Fair Work Commission.
The trial of Christopher Mark Jordan, accused of murdering 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, has been set for April 2027 in the Supreme Court in Launceston.
Tasmania's Racing Minister Roger Jaensch is diligently working to pass legislation banning greyhound racing, with some participants expressing interest in a voluntary exit scheme. The bill, previously deferred, now has six of eight votes needed in the Legislative Council, while Labor opposes it due to concerns over rehoming costs.
A Tasmanian family farm, The Springs, is at a standstill due to severe contamination from sewage discharged by the overloaded Western Junction Sewage Treatment Plant, which processes waste from Launceston Airport, and PFAS chemicals. Owner Kate Tucker blames poor environmental regulation, as the plant operates beyond capacity and is not regulated by the EPA, impacting the farm's ability to operate.
Tasmanian police faced an internal review and changed their approach after sending letters to suspected "sovereign citizens" about their firearms licences, leading to temporary suspensions. Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo intervened, citing increased risk to officers, and the policy was criticized by lawyers and the police association for potential overreach.
A new $19.8 million kitchen at Tasmania's Risdon Prison Complex closed just three months after opening due to flooring defects, forcing the Department of Justice to source meals for hundreds of prisoners from a Victorian contractor at an estimated weekly cost of $90,000.
Tasmanian paramedics are now directed to transport complex cardiac patients from the north-west to Launceston General Hospital instead of Mersey Community Hospital, a six-month pilot aiming to improve care but raising concerns about ambulance availability and LGH strain.
Former Australian cricketer Aaron Summers has pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse offences, including penetrative sexual abuse and grooming, linked to an incident in Tasmania in 2018. The 30-year-old, who previously played for Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania, will be sentenced in August after being remanded into custody.
Former Australian cricketer Aaron Summers has pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse and grooming charges stemming from a 2018 incident in Tasmania. The 30-year-old, who previously served a sentence for child exploitation, was remanded into custody and awaits sentencing in August.
The Australian Senate has passed legislation to reintroduce human oversight to an aged care algorithm criticized as "cruel" and "inhumane." The integrated assessment tool (IAT) has been found to under-assess elderly individuals, leading to inadequate care, with assessors previously unable to override its decisions.
Neil, a 1-tonne elephant seal, has become a local celebrity and "menace" in southern Tasmania, bypassing barricades and damaging property. Experts explain his behavior as normal for a growing, lonely seal, while conservationists highlight the vulnerable status of his species due to bird flu.
The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), a digital archive of natural world literature, has made over 64 million pages freely available. Despite its crucial role in scientific research and understanding biodiversity crises, BHL faces funding cuts and may cease operations by 2027.
Pauline Hanson's "monocultural" speech drew backlash, while Trump released US-Iran deal details. "Earth's Black Box" to be installed in Tasmania. Queensland beat NSW in Origin Game Two.
Pauline Hanson's "monocultural" speech draws criticism; "Earth's Black Box" climate tracker to be in Tasmania; Queensland beats NSW in Origin Game Two; Trump releases US-Iran deal details.
Five years after its announcement, the "Earth's Black Box," a project designed to record humanity's path to climate catastrophe, is nearing installation in Tasmania. Initially met with global attention, the project faced years of silence but is now reportedly under assembly, with creators aiming for a December installation.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson declared Australia should be a "monocultural society" and pledged to axe SBS and overhaul the ABC if her party wins the next federal election. She also faced a protest banner and questions about her daughter's employment.
Liberal frontbencher Jonno Duniam announced he will resign from politics before the end of the year, citing a desire to spend more time with family after 25 years in the field. The Tasmanian senator's departure is a blow to the struggling Coalition, which faces low popularity and potential electoral defeat.
Liberal frontbencher Jonno Duniam announced he will quit federal politics before the end of the year, citing a desire to spend more time with family after 25 years in the field. The Tasmanian senator, serving as shadow home affairs minister, acknowledged the timing is difficult for the struggling Coalition.
New research suggests the Tasmanian tiger's reputation as a sheep killer was exaggerated, leading to its extinction. Factors like disease and habitat loss, alongside hunting, likely contributed to its demise.
A search is underway on Queensland's Gold Coast for Mary, a Tasmanian devil who escaped her enclosure at Paradise Country theme park. CCTV footage shows the shy marsupial on the move early Tuesday morning. Wildlife teams and a drone operator are searching, with experts warning the public not to approach her.
A search is underway on Queensland's Gold Coast for Mary, a two-year-old Tasmanian devil who escaped her enclosure at Paradise Country theme park early Tuesday morning. CCTV footage shows the shy marsupial on the move, and experts warn the public not to approach her.
