Ashleigh Barraclough

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Ashleigh Barraclough

A Supreme Court judge has ruled an eviction notice handed to a resident of the Beauty Point Tourist Park in northern Tasmania was "invalid and of no effect". The judge said legislation regulating residencies in caravan parks in Tasmania was needed to prevent parks "acting malevolently towards the residents". The court has not yet made orders on the next steps, but says a temporary injunction preventing Mr Lowe's eviction continues.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Lucy Macdonald |Ashleigh Barraclough

Speaker and long-serving Tasmanian Labor MP Michelle O'Byrne has announced she will retire from politics at the next election — which is expected to be called later today. In a speech to parliament, the Bass MP reflected on her 25-year career in politics while taking a parting shot at her own party. "It is not enough to say that you want minority government or indeed majority government to work," Ms O'Byrne told parliament.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Ashleigh Barraclough

Renters in Tasmania are not required to have their carpets professionally cleaned at the end of their lease, despite that condition being included on many rental contracts, the Residential Tenancy Commissioner has ruled. The Tenants Union has welcomed the decision, saying it's the first definitive ruling on the matter. The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania, which produces standard leases featuring the carpet cleaning stipulation, has declined to comment.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jano Gibson |Ashleigh Barraclough

The Tasmanian government has announced funding to establish truth and healing commissioners. However, it says it will no longer progress a treaty with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. The funding announcement has been welcomed by some Aboriginal organisations, but the decision to abandon the treaty process has disappointed others. The Tasmanian government will no longer pursue a treaty with Tasmanian Aboriginal people, instead funding the establishment of truth-telling and healing commissioners.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Ashleigh Barraclough

The wall of an "unregistered" dam built in north-eastern Tasmania nearly a century ago has been assessed as "critically compromised", leaving locals concerned about a possible breach. Flood modelling by engineers shows that a failure of the Pioneer Dam's wall could inundate nearby roads with floodwaters reaching depths of 2.3–3 metres within an hour.