Meg Whitfield

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Meg Whitfield

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says "all options are on the table" to address youth crime in Tasmania, including considering following Queensland's lead to allow youth offenders found guilty of serious offences to be tried as adults. In recent weeks, there have been multiple alleged antisocial incidents in Hobart's northern suburbs, with local independent MLC Bec Thomas calling for an urgent meeting with the premier, police minister and police commissioner. It has been set for Tuesday.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Meg Whitfield |Clancy Balen

Opponents of Tasmania's farmed salmon industry filled the lawns at Hobart's Parliament House on Sunday to protest commercial aquaculture in the state's waters. Organised by the Bob Brown Foundation, the 'vote salmon out' rally is one of a number that have been held across the state in recent months after more than 6,000 tonnes of salmon died in a mass mortality event in February.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Meg Whitfield

A commercial teaching kitchen designed to give students the chance to test out their cooking and hospitality skills has opened in Bridgewater, in Hobart's outer suburbs. Run by the charity Material Institute, the kitchen is an expansion of the 24 Carrot food education program and will host weekly workshops for students as well as community events. In the future, the organisation plans to use the kitchen as a social enterprise cafe, as well as providing a space for formal training opportunities.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Meg Whitfield

A four-month trial of hand-held metal detection wands by Tasmania police ended on April 2. A proposed law to crack down on knife crime — Reid's law — is set to pass parliament this week, and will allow police to search someone for a "dangerous article" if there is "reasonable suspicion" they may be carrying one. Under the proposed legislation, maximum penalties for possessing a dangerous article in a public place would double to $20,000 or three years in prison.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Meg Whitfield

Cancer Council Tasmania is calling for an increase in government funding as demand for its services and the cost to deliver them increase. The not-for-profit, non-government organisation has supported more than 2,000 Tasmanians impacted by cancer in the past 12 months but says it is largely reliant on donations from the community. The state government says it is aware the Cancer Council has made a budget submission, and is working through all community submissions.