Mercury (Hobart)

$1M FEES SECRET

Tasmanian taxpayers have spent more than $1m so far funding both sides of legal disputes between MPs Jane Howlett and Madeleine Ogilvie and the Integrity Commission, Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed in parliament on Wednesday.

FEES FIASCO CLAIMS HOWLETT

Embattled liberal minister Jane howlett has quit cabinet amid scandals over her legal fees and the accuracy of her answers to parliament. she becomes the second minister to quit the frontbench in a month, after madeleine ogilvie also stepped down....

LEGACY LIVES ON

A state funeral will be held for former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer, who has died after a three-year battle with an aggressive brain cancer. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Professor Scolyer as one of the country’s “brightest...

PRIDE OF TASMANIA

From former premiers to dedicated volunteers, community leaders and innovators, Tasmania’s 2026 King’s Birthday Honours recipients represent the very best of our state. Inside, we celebrate the dozens of Tasmanians recognised for their outstanding...

DANCING IN THE STREETS

For those looking to shake off the winter chill and the stress of daily life, Hobart's newest walking tour is offering a unique solution: dancing through the streets.

AUDIENCES TICKLED PINK

The Theatre Royal is booming into a pink frenzy this weekend as the Friends’ School performs its school musical, Legally Blonde. The production is running four shows from Thursday evening to Saturday night, featuring an enthusiastic cast of students...

YOU CAN BANK ON US

HOBART 11C THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 $3.50 The Rockliff government will underwrite finance for those wanting to build a modular home, as a way of promoting more off-site construction. Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the plan to help ease the state’s...

BITTER BREWS

the proposed closure of James boag’s brewery has sent shockwaves through tasmania, with workers, political leaders and industry figures warning of the impact on launceston’s identity and raising broader concerns about the future of manufacturing in the...

BUSH MATTERS

The largest conversation between the bush and powerbrokers starts today, as News Corp Australia launches its 2026 Bush Summit campaign. Regional Australians can have their say on issues that matter most in a new poll, which will help frame debate at...

WET PAWS GREETS WINTER’S DAWN

Tasmania is set to be delighted with an unusually warm winter, but scattered showers threaten to spoil its beginning. With temperature highs ranging from 13C to 15C throughout the first week of June, the Apple Isle will be treated to a warmer than...

BIG NEWS FOR LITTLE CLARA

Details about a taxpayer-funded lawsuit initiated by government frontbencher Madeleine Ogilvie (right) remain hidden from the public by a secret court order, the Mercury can confirm. The Environment Minister revealed in parliament on Thursday that she...

SAVED BY 5 SHOTS OF ADRENALIN

Paramedics have saved the life of acclaimed Tasmanian country singer Tom Wolfe who suffered an anaphylactic reaction after eating peanuts. It took five shots of adrenaline and the incident landed him in hospital. Tom Wolfe, half of the Ariaaward...

SCIENCE SET TO SPARKLE

With the nation’s highest concentration of scientists, Hobart’s connection to the natural world runs deep in its demographic DNA. In August, the Tasmanian capital will once again transform into a living laboratory for the 10th anniversary Beaker...

A SHIP SHOW

Hobart’s Antarctic gateway status is under fresh scrutiny after Canberra slammed a Tasmanian plan to refuel Australia’s flagship icebreaker using 64 road tankers over five days. Federal ministers say the state has “bungled” the project, with the...

INFLUENCER ISLE

Influencers are occupying an increasingly important role in Tasmanian tourism marketing, – a shift industry figures say is vital, but one that must be carefully managed. Of the state tourism budget handed down last week, around $100,000 in the next...

MORE MOUTHS TO FEED IN THE HOUSE

There’s a baby boom in the ranks of Tasmania’s senators. The Liberal’s federal finance and government services spokeswoman, Senator Claire Chandler, is having a baby girl in October and Labor Senator Richard Dowling and his wife Georgia Allen have...

FATAL FOOTAGE

Confronting footage from a bodycam worn at the scene of a police shooting captures the exchange between Constable Keith Smith and Leigh Anthony Sushames moments before the officer was fatally shot in June 2025. The footage, from a camera worn by...

ERIC’S BIG AXE

Treasurer Eric Abetz will attempt to deliver a budget surplus within two years as the state government attempts to hit the brakes on runaway spending and return Tasmania to a sustainable financial footing. The 2026-27 state budget was handed down...

AIRBN’ FEES

To ease the housing and homelessness crisis in Hobart, two councillors want to double the current property rate for whole home short-stay accommodation properties. A motion from councillors Ben Lohberger and Ryan Posselt will be discussed at Monday...

SINGING ISLAND HOME’S PRAISES

“I can’t wait to be among the crowd singing my heart out!” Festival of Voices artistic director Shaun Rennie says. The annual winter celebration of song has unveiled its line-up and feature song, with acclaimed artist Casey Donovan (below) set to lead...

READY TO ROCK

Robin Davis is stepping into the spotlight, making her stage debut as Joey Primo, the bartender, in Rosny College’s upcoming production of Rock of Ages. The musical, set against the vibrant backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, promises an energetic journey...

1000 HOMES PLAN

Army land at Glenorchy’s Dowsing Point could be redeveloped into up to 1000 homes under a state-federal deal announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. While state housing bodies welcomed the news, RSL Tasmania say they were blindsided by the...

This is OUR time

For decades, Tasmania stood poised, waiting patiently for the realisation of its football destiny. Part of that dream came true in March when the AFL-bound Tasmania Football Club men’s side took its first on-field steps in a VFL clash at North Hobart...

MUM’S THE WORD

A three-year inquiry into maternal health services across Tasmania heard harrowing stories of birth trauma, nonconsensual medical interventions, and bureaucratic cover-ups, but the state government is yet to confirm whether it will adopt all of the...

SATURDAY AFTERNOON FEVER

Clubbers, ravers and party animals of yesteryear are invited to step back in time at Hobart’s Grand Poobah this month, when Tasmanian DJ Track + Field hosts veteran revellers at a nostalgia-filled dance party that won’t affect their bedtime.

SHOOT TO TRILL

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ 2026-27 federal budget has thrown a fiscal lifeline to Tasmania – with a healthy increase in GST payments to flow into state coffers as it wrestles with its own budget crisis. The federal government will take in $789bn in...

GETTING OUR KIDS ACTIVE A NET GAIN

Taassmmaanniiaa’ss kkiiddss aarree gglluueedd ttoo ssccrreeeennss ffoor nearly twice as long as they spend playing sport, but a communityy club is working to change that. .

CITY RUNS FOR A CURE

A Hobart father has joined hundreds of Tasmanians taking part in this year’s Mother’s Day Classic, running alongside his children in support of his mother’s cancer battle after she recently underwent surgery in Tonga. Aisea Taulava brought his kids to...

TIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

A Sydney-based consulting firm will conduct a review of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, suggesting the cultural institution could be further commercialised after the state government directed it to “investigate all reasonable opportunities” to...

THAT WAS A DEVILISHLY COLD DAY

Narina, a 12-monthold female Tasmanian devil, experienced her first decent snowfall of the year as much of the state struggled to rise above single-digit temperatures yesterday.

BIG SHOES TO FILL AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Caroline Wells is a former nurse and chairwoman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania... and she is about to become our latest Governor, following formal approval from His Majesty King Charles III

MARGOT’S MET GALA MAGIC

SEE PAGE 5

FREE HEALTH CHECK PUSH FOR KIDS

Stephanie De Campo lists continuity of care, cost-of-living pressures and lack of sleep that can impact the health of the whole family as some of the reasons she supports a proposal by GPs to offer free annual health checks for all children until the...

OUR KIDS, OUR FUTURE

Top doctors have warned the future of Australian children is at a critical crossroads and in dire need of worldleading medical research to reverse a situation where an entire generation’s health is now, for the first time, worse than their...

SMELTER FUNDING SPENT

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has held urgent talks with the federal and South Australian governments in a bid to shore up a new assistance deal for Nyrstar.

START DIGGING

A road tunnel under the Derwent River costing up to $3.5 billion should be considered by the Tasmanian government, awardwinning engineer Tony Peach says. He says the mooted road tunnel between Risdon Road and Flagstaff Gully would have advantages over...

$40K ZONE

The future of one of the state’s top mountain bike parks hangs in the balance with the government threatening to cancel the operator’s lease because of missed rental payments. The Mercury understands Department of Natural Resources and Environment...

Quiet reflection

Survivors, families and community members gathered to mark the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur Massacre. Thirty years ago yesterday, a lone gunman killed 35 people and injured 23 at the site and surrounding areas. About 160 people attended...

NEW $1000 TAX BREAK FOR TASSIE WORKERS

Almost 145,000 Tasmanian workers will be able to claim a $1000 instant tax deduction without receipts in a cost-ofliving measure announced by the federal government – but there’s a catch. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the move would deliver “lasting...

TMAG TO THE RESCUE

A packed museum schedule will keep idle hands busy during the school holidays with a range of free familyfriendly activities. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery will transform into a vibrant hub for creativity, play and discovery for the first week...

Burning the midnight oil

The fire at the Viva Energy refinery will have an impact on Tasmania “in due course” as the opposition takes the government to task over fuel contingency plans. Energy Minister Nick Duigan and Deputy Premier Guy Barnett said Tasmania would develop its...

BUCKLEY'S A CHANCE

Former Collingwood mentor Nathan Buckley has made his most direct public pitch to become the inaugural coach of the Tasmania Devils, insisting he would accept the role if he was offered it.

PUMPED FOR INFO

The state government has attempted to dispel concerns about fuel supply shortages, despite criticism over its communication falling short. Governments around the country are being urged to improve messaging on fuel supply pressures amid ongoing...

ISLAND HIGH AND DRY

King Island fuel supply issues have left locals fearing a return to the “horse and cart” days, with one of the island’s two petrol stations running dry twice in a day, and its owner calling for greater state government assistance to navigate the...

DOG DAYS OVER?

A former governor, two former premiers and prominent actors are among more than 1000 who have signed an open letter urging the Legislative Council to vote to end greyhound racing in Tasmania. It comes as Tasmanian greyhound racing families say they...

DIESEL AND THE DUST UP ALP’S LEGAL POT PUSH

HOBART 13C SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 $4.50

SMELL OF AN OILY RAG

The dire state of Australia’s fuel shortages can be revealed today with less than a month of petrol, jet fuel and diesel available. An exclusive new tool, which monitors supplies in real time using official government data, shows the country is down...

STAYING CHATTY

While donning a pair of shorts might be the last thing you want to do as the temperature drops, Tasmanian charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY is asking the public to “brave the cold” while having a conversation about mental health.

MAPPING OUT ZOO’S FUTURE

NEW JEWEL IS BASKETBALL ROYALTY

The 6’4” daughter of NBL legend Darren Smith and younger sister of WNBA star Alanna Smith has carved her own path by joining Tasmania’s newest professional basketball franchise as a foundation player.

MATES RATES

Former Liberal senator Stephen Parry’s appointment as the chair of the Tasmanian Heritage Council is set to come under fresh scrutiny after it was revealed he personally sent his CV to Minister Madeleine Ogilvie’s office before the position was...

LIFE IN A TAILSPIN

A Supreme Court judge has condemned the destructive impact of ice addiction during sentencing submissions this week for a Hobart couple whose lives have spiralled into a life of crime and poverty. Justice Stephen Estcourt said the decline of...

ROLL UP FOR LA RONDE

Performer Adam Malone describes La Ronde as “the Miss Universe pageant of circus”. The Australian will be among an international cast of the world’s most impressive circus artists performing in the headline show for Hobart’s Spiegeltent. Fellow...

IT’S TIME TO TRADE UP

The government is being urged to act to train workers ahead of the Macquarie Point stadium project, or risk driving up housing costs. A Housing Industry Association report, released today, says the state’s building strength is already near full...

CHOC-FULL OF GOODIES

A beloved Hobart chocolatier has been “pushed to the limit” producing tens of thousands of eggs in preparation for this Easter long weekend. Seventy-year-old Nutpatch Chocolates owner John Zito has handcrafted his own delicacies since 1988, opening up...

Crushed by the weather

At Puddleduck Vineyard in the Coal River Valley, John Schuts is still waiting to bring in this season’s grape harvest. But the experienced winemaker is far from alone in dealing with the delayed vintage, after a summer triple threat of cool, wet and...

PINBALL QUEEN CROWNED

Pinballing her way to the top step of the podium, a Hobart local has been crowned as women’s national pinball champion, enduring a 16-hour-long competition to snatch the title. West Hobart’s Lily McShane has brought home the national title after...

SHUT THE GATE

The iconic Hobart Farm Gate Market – rated one of the top 10 farmers’ markets in the world – is likely to relocate from its current site due to increased wind conditions causing safety concerns. A report on the proposed relocation, prepared by Hobart...

TASSIE’S DARKEST SECRETS ARE OUT

Spirit of Tasmania V will transform into an artistic wonderland as part of this year’s program for Tasmania’s premier music and arts festival, Dark Mofo. The iconic midwinter festival will return in full bacchanalian glory on June 11, bringing...

HIKES BITE FOR FOOD DELIVERIES

Meals on Wheels will appeal to the federal government to be recognised as an essential service as spiralling fuel prices threaten the organisation’s ability to make vital food deliveries to those in need.

LATE TO CLASS

Striking teachers attacked the timing of a refined wage offer by the state government as schools closed in the North West on Tuesday. The new offer followed weekend negotiations that hammered out the finer details attached to conditions surrounding...

FUEL FRICTION

A supply squeeze and soaring petrol prices have sparked calls for Tasmanian public servants to be allowed to work from home, as local tourism operators report a wave of cancellations with people staying off the roads to save money. Some like...